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: Loved the feedback I got for the last chapter so I'll go ahead and get my thank yous started for that! TORONTOSUN (So pleased to read you thought it was very good writing. The same for you saying you like how everyone's happy, had to have it for a cruise so I'm glad you like it!) and
Mb (Really glad that you're enjoying reading about everyone on the Disney cruise and their activities. Researching this story, the activities and all the restaurants do sound amazing. And I have to agree, I'm jealous of them too, lol. You're welcome for the first half of the chapter! I'm also glad that you think it's great seeing them having fun with the different activities for the different ages. Disney does a good job with that so I wanted to show it since everyone in the group is a large age range. So happy to see you thought the last chapter was wonderfully done! You're welcome for the second half of the chapter!).
Thanks for the reviews, loved reading them and appreciate 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 La Isla Bonita written by Madonna, Patrick Leonard and Bruce Gaitsch, from the Madonna album True Blue.
Days Would Last
"Thank you so much," Beckett told the cast member, handing the man a tip for the breakfast he'd brought. She closed the door after he'd left and once it was locked moved to the bedroom where she saw her husband was sitting up. "Good morning," she said with a smile while he was rubbing his eyes.
"Morning," Castle said before he looked at her. "Breakfast?" he asked.
"It's here," Beckett said with a nod.
"Great, I'm starving," Castle said, moving to get off the bed.
"I'll make come coffee," Beckett replied, heading over to the kitchenette. She started the brewer, waiting for her husband though she wasn't surprised when he was leaning on the bar on the other side in the living room. Smiling at him she said, "I'd like to eat on the verandah."
"I was going to insist," Castle replied. "But… the kids?"
"We're just going to be eating," Beckett said in a mock warning voice.
"True," Castle said with a nod before he walked around to the kitchenette to get his coffee ready as she was starting the second mug. "Though I just thought, if they see us how do we explain we're still in our PJs?" he asked when he took his coffee from her.
"We're relaxing on the verandah," Beckett said. "And they won't ask."
"Sure," Castle replied swiftly before he was smiling at the way she was rolling her eyes. When they were both finished he let her take both mugs before he brought the tray with their meal out to the verandah. Listening for the kids he could hear them talking before he went to the door and looked down to the others before he said, "I guess that answers that," before he heard his mother speaking as well.
"Is the door closed?" Beckett asked, walking over to him. Looking towards the other verandahs she saw the one for the kids' suite was closed and she smiled before she told her husband, "Your mother."
"Of course," Castle agreed before they turned their attention to the chez lounges. Sitting on the same with his wife he told her, "We're not eating all of this are we?"
"I hope not, I'd like to save some for tomorrow's breakfast before we have to leave," Beckett replied. She wasn't surprised when her husband nodded in agreement, since he was already eating one of the croissants and she did the same herself. They were eating in silence for a while, listening to the sound of the kids and Martha down from them. She smiled as she could soon hear her mother in law urging everyone inside so they could leave for the pools.
Able to hear the door closing, though just barely, Castle said, "I guess they're good to go."
"They're fine," Beckett said. "It helps we waited until now to go on a cruise."
"So after next summer we'll go on another?" Castle asked.
"Actually, I think I want to go back to Hawaii," Beckett told him. "And if we're really talking about this now, I think it's time to go to Kauai."
"Before Julia gets too old?" Castle asked. He couldn't help laughing when his wife rolled her eyes and said, "Yeah, I'll plan for it… I don't know when but eventually." He saw they'd each had a pastry, after their fruit, and he said, "Is that it?"
"It is," Beckett replied. She grabbed her husband's arm before he could get up and she moved to sit on his lap saying, "I want to do one thing before we start."
"I agree," Castle said. He couldn't help laughing when she looked at him in obvious surprise and told her, "I guessed, it's to brush our teeth right?"
"It is," Beckett said before she was crying out briefly when her husband stood up with her in his arms. "Put me down Rick," she told him firmly.
Though he hesitated, Castle eventually did so and said, "I can carry you."
"I realize, but it's a little bit of a squeeze getting closer to the bedroom," Beckett replied, taking his hand pulling him after her into their suite. She paused to allow him to close the door and lock it before they were walking together to their bathroom. They brushed their teeth and as soon as she was setting aside her towel she was laughing when he pulled her with him to the bed.
"I can't wait," Castle said as he turned to her. Before she could respond to him he was leaning into her and kissing her deeply. He was relieved when she was responding by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back. With that encouragement he was slipping his tongue into her mouth and with her parting her lips he couldn't stop himself from making it passionate immediately.
Clutching at her husband's back, Beckett thought they would be staying there next to the bed for a while. But after they'd exchanged several kisses she was pulling back feeling her husband pulling up on her shirt. Panting a little she raised her head and once her shirt was off she was racing to reach for his. Though they were kissing a little harder, she and Castle were nearly speeding to undress each other before they fell onto their bed. Laughing a little when they bounced slightly, she told him teasingly, "Not much foreplay."
"Well… since we're not doing any penetration right now…" Castle replied in the same tone of voice. He wasn't surprised when she was leaning into him and they kissed sweetly before they parted and he breathed huskily to her, "You're a goddess."
"Sheik," Beckett told him, cupping his cheek with her hand. He leaned into her again and she accepted his kiss, relieved it was brief before he was moving back again. "Start," she urged him.
Without a word in response, Castle was moving down her body, kissing around her neck and going lower until he had reached her breasts. He pulled back a little to look at the mounds briefly, leaning down again to begin kissing at her lightly. Hearing her sigh in response he did his best not to let his arousal distract him and moved to her nipples. Gently suckling at her, he went over both her nipples before he made himself stop and slid further down her body until he was at her mound. Chancing a look up at her he wasn't surprised she had her eyes closed tightly and he turned his attention back to her sex. With her legs spread he was able to settle in where he needed to lay to be able to pleasure her quickly, and immediately started to kiss around her inner thighs.
Each press of her husband's lips was a little shock to Beckett, and for a moment she was afraid he was going to keep doing that for a while. When he moved up to her clit she was almost sighing in relief before the feel of his lips on her swollen nub cut her off. She was moaning in pleasure at the sensation of his kisses though he was shortly after taking her clit in between his lips. His sucking of that made her arch her back a little but he was soon holding onto her legs and she gripped at the sheet under her to withstand what he was making her feel. After he had done that for a bit longer she found herself breathing a little harder when he pulled away. Feeling him moving lower she moaned his name when he gently began to rub her clit with his first two fingers. A moment later, his lips were pressing to her folds and she did her best not to move her legs too much in reaction, though when he shortly after slid his tongue into her she nearly lost the battle to keep as still as she could.
Castle felt a momentary urge to smile at the way his wife was moving above him but he focused more on what he was doing and holding onto her. She was eventually calming down a little, still moving, and he was taking in the taste of her on his tongue. He continued to stimulate her manually and with both of his ministrations, he wasn't surprised when it took very little time to push her over the edge. She was writhing, and though he had to work a bit harder to keep her close to him he was finding himself nearly rubbing his body against the bed.
Crying out her husband's name, Beckett calmed down to the realization there was the sound of something moving though she was still. "Rick?" she asked as he stopped moving around between her legs.
"I need-" Castle started to say before he was exhaling roughly at his wife grabbing him and flipping him onto his back. "So you're alright?" he asked.
"I think so," Beckett said simply before she was leaning down and kissing him. She did so sensuously at first, but when her husband was grasping at her tightly she moaned and they were deepening it at the same time. Eventually they were slowly parting and she smiled saying, "You won't stop me?"
"Believe me, I won't," Castle replied seriously. They were kissing again before he watched her pull away and then move down to his chest. Grunting in pleasure at the sensation of her kisses, he was tightening his hands on her back before she was moving around his nipples. "Kate," he groaned in pleasure when she began to suck. When she pulled away carefully he told her, "I'm really not going to take that long."
"I know," Beckett assured him, kissing him tenderly. She then moved back down, kissing over his chest again until she reached his erection. Gently taking it in her hand she curled her fingers around it before she was kissing the tip lightly. Doing her best not to smile at her husband grunting in reaction to her touch, she turned her attention to kissing her way down until she reached underneath his length. Hearing him hissing between his clenched teeth, she slid her lips back up him and then allowed herself to take him in her mouth. She held the base of him with one hand while the other was caressing his body where she could reach. Being able to touch him, it wasn't hard to discern that he was closer than she'd expected, but she wasn't stopping.
Though he wanted to warn his wife, Castle couldn't find the strength to do that before he was climaxing. Losing himself a little, he was calling her name until he'd finally stopped moving and was catching his breath. "Kate," he said to her when she had finished and pulled away.
About to speak, Beckett was startled when her husband was grabbing her and pulling her to him. Laughing she said, "You're lucky I was finished."
"I made sure," Castle said shortly before he was kissing her deeply. He wasn't surprised when she took a moment before she was responding and they were holding onto each other tightly.
Eventually, Beckett ended the kiss and told him, "I… I don't think we can take that much longer here."
Castle couldn't help laughing briefly before he said, "Which means we need to leave once we're recovered."
"Basically," Beckett said. "But I'd really like to keep tonight open."
"Me too," Castle said. "I love you," he told her seriously.
"Love you Rick," Beckett replied before they were kissing. It started out gentle, but eventually they made it deep and were moving to caress one another until they were jerking back from each other at the same time.
"I couldn't… sorry," Castle said, breathing roughly.
"It's alright, I was doing it too," Beckett said with a smile. "But we need to stop." She wasn't surprised when he was nodding before they were sitting up and she glanced at him. "Are you going to be alright?" she asked since she could see he was still aroused.
"Give me a little," Castle replied simply before they were getting off the bed at the same time. He was focusing on his clothes before he nearly jumped at her hand on his back.
"Do you think you can braid my hair again?" Beckett asked after a momentary pause since she'd thought about asking him if he was alright.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Castle told her seriously. "I just needed that time… not looking at you," he said, adding the last before he made a face.
"I know you do that," Beckett reminded him. "And it's fine." She smiled when he was grabbing her hand and kissing the back of it before she said, "Let me get my brush."
"I'll get it," Castle said, stopping her before she could walk away. Walking around her he went to her drawer in the bathroom and got her brush and a tie for the braid before he went out to the living room where she was sitting on the couch. "I'm so glad you opened the curtains," he told her with a smile.
"I had the chance," Beckett said as she turned away from him.
"So tomorrow night did we have any set plans?" Castle asked while he was brushing her hair gently.
"No," Beckett said. "Did you want to try and get seats for the Aladdin show?"
"Think I should?" Castle asked, setting aside the brush to begin braiding. He was just grabbing her hair when she shook her head and he asked in surprise, "No?"
"I got a paper, a sort of daily newsletter," Beckett said. "And I asked for us to receive it everyday even if we don't order breakfast for the room. It says they're going to have a movie night tomorrow."
"What movie?" Castle asked.
"Lilo and Stitch," Beckett replied with a smile, not surprised when her husband was laughing in response.
"Okay, so I'll go for the next night… wait, the night… why don't we move our adults out night until the day after we see the Aladdin show?" Castle started to say.
Laughing, Beckett said, "If the other adults are okay with that." She paused and then said, "That reminds me, we were given a packet for tonight."
"I filled out the card that we'd be participating," Castle said, having been braiding her hair at that point.
"I'm not surprised, but let's wait until we're leaving for dinner to see what we have," Beckett told him teasingly.
"I can check really fast," Castle told her.
"Not this time love, I would like to try the pool before lunch," Beckett responded as he was tying off the end of the braid.
"Alright, but whenever we come back…" Castle started to say jokingly, handing her the brush as she stood up. He wasn't surprised when she glanced back at him and he called to her, "Are you going to get a drink at all?"
"This early?" Beckett said in amusement, walking back out to him. "I don't think so. Why, were you?" she asked.
"No, since we're going to see the kids soon," Castle replied, shaking his head. "Are you ready?"
"I am," Beckett said with a smile before they were moving to the entry hallway. She grabbed her bag and after making sure her husband was ready, walked to the door before she headed outside first. Once their stateroom door was closed behind them they were making their way to the stairs to head down a floor. When they reached the deck she saw they were at the adults only section and she said to her husband, "I almost wanted to see them."
"I thought of that too," Castle said. "But you realize the girls really wouldn't be happy about that."
"I know," Beckett said laughingly before she spotted Skye and Mary at a lounge chair.
"Good morning," the investigator said first, spotting the two. "Lovely day I think."
"Because it's cloudy?" Castle asked, watching his wife setting down the bag she had on the next lounge chair.
"Enough," Skye corrected before she laughed when her wife and Beckett were shaking their heads.
"How long have you been here?" Beckett asked.
"Only about five minutes," Mary said. "But- oh, there are the Fosters."
"And the Davises," Beckett said, spotting them.
"Just one more couple," Castle said.
"And there they are," Skye said before they were greeting the others as Darnley and Nkosi were last to their group.
"Okay, since there's a pool," Darnley said. "I think we'll head to the pool."
"Thanks for asking," Nkosi said in amusement before they were walking to it.
"Want to head in?" Castle asked his wife since by then they'd put on sunscreen. When his wife nodded he reached out to her and took her hand before pulling her after him to the pool until he stopped at the side of it.
"Would you like to go to the shallow part?" Beckett asked with a smile. "And work your way over there?"
"Sure," Castle said since there were two sections. They went to the area by the bar and stepped into the water before sitting on a bench.
Seeing her friend and his husband were at the bar Beckett said, "I didn't realize someone would get a drink."
"It's not a drink, drink," Darnley said, walking over to them. "Smoothies."
"Smoothies?" Castle and Beckett said at the same time before the two men started to laugh.
"What's the craic?" Skye said jokingly as she and Mary were walking over to them.
"I think you mean what's the joke?" David asked, he and his wife joining them with the Davises.
"We're going to have smoothies; anyone want to join in?" Nkosi asked. He laughed when Skye pretended to yank the menu from his husband's hands and said, "They look really good."
"Are they the same as the place near here?" Brad asked.
"No, different fruit combinations," the investigator said after she'd read over the choices. "Piña colada for me," she said.
"I'm getting the same," David commented.
"Me too," Lily said with a smile.
"Should we make it easier and just order the same thing?" Darnley asked, smiling himself. After everyone else had nodded he went to the bar and told the bartender what they wanted before he called, "We need key cards here, the smoothies are extra."
As Skye and the husbands went over to the bar Rebecca said to Beckett and Lily, "Enjoying your rooms?"
"A lot," the chef said first. "It's not huge but we have a great window looking out on the water."
"Our room is nice," Beckett said simply, not surprised when the two women laughed.
"You don't need to worry, your husband came up with the idea," Rebecca assured her.
"She's right," Darnley said as they were returning to the women sitting on the bench. "It makes sense."
"Alright, it is a great room. But you do know we're going to have you there for dinner one night," Beckett told them.
"And we got to go there already," David said.
"Are they going to be able to handle that many smoothies?" Rebecca then asked her husband.
"You don't hear the blenders?" Mary asked in amusement.
"I didn't realize they had so many," Rebecca commented before they were laughing together.
"Did everyone get their packets for tonight?" Castle asked.
"We did," Skye said. "Opened it and I reject wearing a kerchief as they did."
"A kerchief?" Castle said, looking at his wife.
Laughing Beckett explained to the others, "I didn't allow him to open our packet, I wanted to head out."
"Do you want to know what else is in it?" Skye asked laughingly. "Sorry for the spoiler alert."
"It's fine, and no, we'll find out later," Castle said. "And by later I mean the kids will tell us, I'm sure they opened their packets."
"Tore into them I'd say," Skye replied before they were all laughing again.
Since names were being called at that point, the men went with Skye to the bar to get their smoothies before they were returning to the benches.
"I got the smaller size," Castle told his wife, handing her the glass.
"Thank you," Beckett replied. She wasn't surprised when he made her tap her glass to his before he was sitting next to her again. She took a sip and then said to the others, "I'm surprised no one was worried about this affecting lunch, we are going to a buffet."
"I'm starving to be honest," Brad admitted.
"Me too, it's that sea air," Darnley said.
"This is the first time we've been out all day," Nkosi told his husband.
"Still," Darnley said firmly before they were all laughing.
"I'm sure we'll be hungry, he isn't lying about the sea air," Skye said.
"No, you're right," Beckett said laughingly since the investigator was looking pointedly at her. "We experience that a little at home."
"Us too," Mary said with a smile.
"Then we don't have to stop drinking these, right?" Darnley asked.
"I'm not going to stop you," Beckett replied since he was looking at her. She returned to her drink and looked out at the pool before she said, "Has anyone looked around the bar and pool?"
"We did," Skye said first.
"She's right, I wanted to see the area before we sat down," Mary replied. "There's a Jacuzzi over there and it has a window looking down the side of the ship."
"Interesting," Lily said.
"Did you go in?" David asked.
"No, just looked into the water and saw the window," Skye said. "Should we go there before lunch? Or the one up the next deck by the funnel?"
"This one," Castle said.
Laughing, Beckett handed him her glass since she'd finished and watched him go to the bar before she said to the other women, "Are we ready to head into the deeper pool?"
"I am," Mary said before they were moving to the ladder they could see heading down.
As soon as she was in the water, Beckett began to swim around since they were on their own until her husband appeared next to her. "Hey," she said with a smile.
"Hey, it's not bad," Castle said, looking around the pool.
"No, but remember this is a cruise ship," Beckett told him.
"I can't help missing our pool," Castle joked. "So, swim?"
"That's what I was already doing," Beckett said before they were moving to swim.
After they had been doing that for a while, Castle moved with her to the bench to the side of that part of the pool and he said, "We don't have much more time."
"That's why we're stopping," Skye said, going over to them with Mary.
"Also so we can go to the Jacuzzi," Nkosi said. "I'm looking forward to that."
"Hopefully no one will be in there yet," Rebecca said before they were laughing and then getting out of the water.
After they had dried off, the group went over to the Jacuzzi that was behind the bar and looked at the two separate pools.
"You weren't kidding," Brad commented, looking at the window and its view. He smiled and then said, "We can't divide evenly."
"We'll offer to split up," Skye said, her wife nodding next to her. She then smiled and said, "We'll come back again I'm sure."
"Oh that reminds me," Castle said as they were getting into the two pools. He had paused to go up the steps when Darnley was letting out a laugh before he was speaking.
"I can see straight down to the water," the carpenter said. "Pretty awesome."
"It is," Skye said since she was on the other side looking down. She then smiled and said, "Don't look Mary."
"I already did," the doctor said. "And it's not that bad."
"It's not," Beckett said, joining Skye to look. "Too bad the kids won't be able to see this," she said.
"Well, the younger ones would be terrified so…" the investigator said. She then paused and said, "I think one of us should get our phone."
"David did," Rebecca told them. She smiled when the others looked at her and said, "Seriously, he was the last one in so he decided to go."
"Here," David said, returning then and handing his wife his phone.
"I like that no one minds leaving their stuff," Skye couldn't help saying.
"There is security," Castle commented. "And basically a lot of cast members."
"We're good," David said, finishing filming. "And yes I just put my phone under the water."
"Mine does that too," Castle said.
"Do you want to get it?" Beckett asked him.
"I'm good," Castle replied. Since the wall in front of the Jacuzzi was windows he looked at the ocean and said, "I worry the kids are going to feel weird about the excursion and being on land tomorrow."
"They're eager," Lily said first.
"So are ours," Nkosi added, the other parents agreeing.
"When are we telling them about the excursion by the way?" Rebecca asked.
"Before we go into lunch," Beckett said firmly.
Laughing at the way Castle was pursing his lips, Skye said, "You know she has a point."
"I know, I just hope they're okay with it," the writer said.
"They will be," Beckett said, squeezing his hand since they weren't sure yet if the two youngest would be able to go to all the shore excursions. "And your mom and my dad will watch them."
"And my parents don't forget," Nkosi said with a smile before he realized his husband was looking at his watch. "Is it time?"
"No but… does anyone really want to see their kids?" Darnley asked.
"I do, I say we meet them at the pools over there," Skye said, standing up immediately. She smiled when the others were laughing and they took turns getting out and going to their chairs before she said, "I forgot we had such good seats."
"She's right, do any of you guys want to rest here?" Darnley asked.
"Just for a little," Beckett said, sitting and leaning back on hers and Castle's chair. "I do want to see the girls."
"We should do this after lunch," David said, settling on his chair. He saw the way the writers were looking at each other and asked, "You have something else in mind?"
"Once Josie and Sophie are awake," Castle said before he quickly explained the detective games.
"I'm not surprised you found that," Mary said.
"I was going to say that," Skye said in mock complaint. Squeezing her wife's hand she then said, "But I think it's a good idea, a little break from the pools. Though I would suggest we do two today, not just one."
"She's right, that last day at sea we should focus again on the pools," Brad said.
"Or," Lily said, getting everyone's attention. "Tell the kids about this detective game and let them decide."
"We will," Beckett said in amusement when the others were looking at herself and her husband. "Though I get the feeling they'll want to do two today and one the last day. They do have the girls' naps to be in the pool and the Aquaduck." She wasn't surprised when the others were agreeing with her before they were soon getting up and gathering their things to meet with the rest of their group.
"Shouldn't we leave now?" Jacob said. "It's got to be lunch."
"Wait until we get back to the others," Eve told her brother sternly. "And if someone wasn't here to meet us I'm sure it's early still." She was starting to smile when her brother was groaning in obvious annoyance and she said, "I'm guessing you're hungry."
"You aren't? We've been running around like crazy," Jacob said.
"Hey, I think our parents are coming back," Marie exclaimed.
Hurrying over to where the grandparents were sitting, the kids were greeting their parents before David was getting their attention.
"We're a little early but I'm guessing you want to go and eat now," the mayor said. He laughed when the older kids were all pointing at Jacob before the young man scoff and pushed away their hands.
"Then we'll leave right now," Brad said before the others were starting to gather their things.
When they were at the entrance to the restaurant Beckett said to Josie, "Will you stay with us?"
"Yeah," the toddler immediately replied, nodding her head. Josie smiled when her father was reaching for her and picking her up before they were walking to the outside seating area.
"Okay," Castle said once they had gotten tables together. "I wanted to tell you guys about our shore excursion tomorrow, but should I do that now-"
"Now!" Eliza gasped. "Oh please Daddy, tell us now," she begged him.
"We're going on the A Day at the Baths excursion," Castle replied. He smiled when the kids were looking at each other in confusion before his daughter was responding first.
"That's not like the baths in Japan is it?" Julia asked.
"No, it's an area by Devil's Bay and we'll have lunch," Castle said. "And I'm sorry about being so vague but I don't know what exactly we'll see either."
"Can the youngest go?" Mari asked.
"They can, we have the carriers for them so they won't have to walk too far," Castle said. "Good?" he then asked them with a smile. He wasn't surprised when they were chorusing yes before some of them were walking into the buffet to get their food.
"What can I get Mommy?" Eliza asked eagerly.
"We need to see first," Beckett replied in amusement. She wasn't surprised when they were reaching the pizza first and she calmed Eliza and Josie down telling them, "You can get one slice okay? There's probably a lot more to eat than just this."
"And we'll probably come back for lunch on the last day at sea," Castle said when his and his wife's two youngest turned to him. They grabbed plates and he got a slice of cheese pizza for himself, his wife and Eliza before he said to Julia, "Want one?"
"Sure," the teen replied, holding out her plate. They continued and she wasn't surprised when Josie was gasping and said, "She smells it."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said wryly, dishing a little mac and cheese onto Josie's plate. She watched her husband and middle daughters getting some as well before her husband was getting fries for them all.
"That's not a lot Daddy," Eliza said.
"We'll get one more plate so you have to save room for everything else," Castle answered simply before they came to a container with bowtie pasta in alfredo sauce. He and the girls watched Beckett getting some before he said, "At least they had something for you."
"Let's keep going," Beckett said in amusement before they continued. "Don't get rolls," she told the girls. "The bread will fill you up."
"I wasn't going to," Eliza said, nudging her sister to get her attention.
"Are we getting any of these?" Julia asked when they came to some dishes she was unsure of what they were.
"Not this," Beckett said, urging them away from the food since she knew they wouldn't eat them. Stopping at the next set she looked at the name and said, "Will you guys eat some fish?"
"What is it?" Eliza asked.
"Lemon sole," Castle read. "Just little pieces okay?" When all three nodded he shared a smile with his wife before he was getting it for them all and they were continuing.
"Josa didn't get any," Eliza whispered to her big sister.
"I think you'll split your piece with her," Julia whispered back. She smiled when Eliza nodded rapidly, a look of comprehension on her face before she saw the sign above reading Galley Grill.
"I'm giving you some carrots girls," Beckett said, motioning them to her. As they held out their plates she put them in before they moved down to some potatoes and schnitzel, the latter her husband took. At the next section she got a rib, along with her husband before she asked the girls, "You're sure you didn't want the potatoes?"
"Yeah, the fries are way better," Eliza said, smiling when her parents did. They came to a glass display and she gasped saying, "Little sandwiches!"
"I think those are tuna," Castle told her. He wasn't surprised when she made a brief face before moving on. They were walking by the salad bar before reaching seafood and he said, "Kate?"
"The next plate," Beckett said in amusement before they continued and came to the carving stations.
"Could we get some turkey?" Eliza asked eagerly.
"Go ahead, small slices if you can," Castle said to the cast member behind the buffet. After they'd all gotten slices they went to where cranberry sauces and stuffing were and he said, "It is only March you know."
"I don't care," Eliza said.
"Thanksgiving!" Josie cried happily.
"Alright, let's head out," Castle said laughingly.
"He's right, we have enough," Beckett said before they were returning to their tables.
"What else of the food are you gonna get?" Eliza asked her mother after her grandparents and father had left them.
"A salad and some sushi I think," Beckett said. "Hold on sweetie," she was telling Josie who was trying to grab her fork.
"Are Daddy and Julia gonna be able to bring the drinks?" Eliza asked.
"They will," Beckett assured her before she leaned back. She wasn't surprised when her husband and Julia were coming to their table and she told the teen, "We'll see you for the second plate."
"Sure," Julia said with a smile before hurrying to the table where her friends were.
As they were eating Martha eventually asked, "Are you two that eager to do the detective activity?"
"We are," Castle said. He smiled at Eliza and Josie and told them, "It'll be a lot of fun."
"You're not going to solve the case for us are you?" the former asked.
"No," Beckett answered with a smile. "We'll be helping if you need it."
"I can't wait," Eliza said eagerly to her little sister, smiling when Josie was nodding rapidly in agreement. When they finished their first plates she was eager to get more for the second but wasn't surprised when she didn't get as much. "I can't wait for dessert," she whispered to her sisters as they were going outside again.
"I heard that," Beckett called back teasingly, smiling when the three were laughing. Sitting down again she told her husband, "And I know you feel the same."
"You can't blame me," Castle replied. "They looked really good. He smiled when his wife was rolling her eyes and touched her shoulder for a moment before he said, "After this, I hope you guys won't mind waiting until Josie takes her nap."
"You told us," Eliza said. "And that's okay. But we'll do the two cases right?"
"If they don't take too long," Beckett replied, nodding her head. She smiled and then said, "And then it's pirates night." She was about to continue when the two were saying, "Arr!" repeatedly to each other and she couldn't help laughing with her husband.
"Okay you two, we'll talk like that later, right now you need to finish up your plates," Castle said.
"Dessert!" Josie cried before laughing again with her sister.
"We're not going to get that much, we're having some tonight," Beckett told them, smiling when the two girls were saying, "Arr," to each other again.
"They get that from me," Castle told his wife.
"It's fine, at least it distracts them," Beckett replied in amusement before they were returning to finishing their second plates. Once they had, her husband offered to get their fruit, Eliza hurrying to join him while Josie begged to get out of her chair.
"Can we go see Mama?" the toddler asked once she was on her lap. "There?"
"Alright," Beckett said, hesitating a moment.
"Did you not want to?" Jim asked.
"Oh no, I just don't think they're going to take that long," Beckett said, putting Josie's hat on the toddler's head before standing and going to the railing.
After they'd been standing there for a while, Josie turned to her mother and asked, "I can solve too Mama?"
"The cases?" Beckett asked. When the toddler was nodding her head, she smiled and pressed a kiss to her temple before she said, "Of course. But you're going to be with the other kids."
"Okay," Josie said before her mother was stepping away from the railing. "Mama!" she protested.
"Your daddy has the fruit," Beckett said, trying not to laugh when the toddler gasped, not surprised she was eager. She walked over to the table, giving Josie some fruit before she grabbed some herself. She wasn't surprised when Eliza and the toddler were quiet at that point eating, or when they immediately tried getting up when they finished their fruit. "Hold on you two," she said, taking Josie out of her chair. "The desserts are a little big so we're only getting one okay?"
"Josa's getting one too?" Eliza couldn't help asking.
"She and I are sharing," Beckett said firmly before they were getting up. Walking inside they went straight to the dessert display before she noticed Julia was joining them.
"Hey," the teen said, smiling. "I was going to get that strawberry thing."
"The parfait?" Castle asked. When she nodded he said, "I think we're all getting that."
"You too?" Beckett asked in surprise.
"Yeah, it looks good," Castle replied easily. He smiled when his wife laughed briefly and then turned to the cast member behind the counter to get six of the parfaits.
"Gram and Grandpapa are getting them too?" Julia asked.
"They are," Castle said. "I think they want something light now," he then explained as he was carrying the cups on a tray. "Since we're having that special dinner and everything."
Julia laughed briefly before she was reaching for a cup and said, "Thanks."
Watching her walk away, Beckett turned to her husband and said, "I think we'll have her sit with us one night."
"Maybe we should make that breakfast," Castle commented as they were reaching their table. "It'd be easier."
"What about Clive and Peter?" Eliza asked.
"We could sit with them," Martha said. She smiled when her son and daughter in law were protesting at the same time and she was quick to stop them before she said, "We would be happy to do that."
"She's right, and have you decided on the parents having dinner on their own?" Jim then asked them.
"We talked about it at the pool earlier and I think we're going to save it for the night after we leave St. Thomas," Castle said.
"Tell them," Beckett replied with a smile when he glanced at her.
"Tell us what?" Eliza immediately asked, surprised when her father was calling Julia over.
"Did you finish?" Castle asked the teen when she headed over to them. At her nod he then paused and told his wife, "I need to tell everyone this."
"I know," Beckett said laughingly. "When we're back at the pools."
Though he wanted to comment on that, Castle soon noticed that everyone was getting up from their tables. After they'd gathered their things they were soon walking back to the pools and getting lounge chairs in the shade. Just when he was about to get the others' attention, he was distracted by two women who were hurrying up to him.
Beckett tried not to roll her eyes at the way the two were literally gushing with excitement as they spoke to her husband, asking him to sign copies of their books. When he excused himself from one of them asking if he'd seen any of the bars the ship had she smiled when the women glanced at her.
"Stupid," Julia said under her breath.
"I agree," Mari said, smiling when her friend jumped.
"I didn't know you were there," Julia said rapidly in her surprise.
"I could tell you weren't happy," Mari said with a slight smile. She then said, "Why do people not realize your parents are happy?"
"I don't know," Julia said with a shrug. "Why do boys always bother me."
"Helloooo," Peter said exaggeratedly, walking over to her with his brother and Eve. He smiled when the two girls laughed before he said, "Sorry, we-" before he was interrupted by his friend's father.
"Hey, before the youngest go to sleep and we go back to the pools and slide, I wanted to discuss the nights the rest of this cruise," Castle told them. Once they were gathered near enough to him to hear he said, "Kate and I were discussing it and we have some ideas though we wanted you kids to hear."
"What're you going to do?" Fleur asked.
"Us," Castle replied with a smile. "So tonight of course if Pirate Night and the party here on the deck." He had to pause when the older kids were letting out whoops and applauding before he laughed and then continued saying, "Tomorrow night we hope you guys will want to watch a movie out here."
"What's the movie?" Jacob asked.
"Lilo and Stich," Castle said, laughing again when the older kids were teasing Julia about the coincidence. "And then next night hopefully you guys won't mind us parents having the night to ourselves." When the kids were saying no he said, "Great, I hope you guys will enjoy your dinner… wherever you want and seeing their show Aladdin." When he got no protest he said, "Okay, then the last day at sea we'll come to the pools and slide at night and the last night sailing we'll stay on the verandahs of our suites." He was surprised when Julia was raising her hand then and said, "You disagree?"
"Not that, but the last night, could we play the mini-golf course again?" the teen asked, not surprised when her friends and the younger kids were murmuring at that.
"We can try," Castle agreed. "So I guess everyone is alright with that." He wasn't surprised no one said anything and said, "Okay, I think we can go ahead and head to the pools." He smiled when the kids were agreeing and moving to get more sunscreen on while he went to his wife. "Are you staying?" he asked, since she was holding a sleeping Josie.
"I am, take Eliza?" Beckett replied when he sat next to her and gently caressed Josie's hair.
"Of course," Castle said, leaning into his wife so they could share a kiss. When he was pulling back he told her, "They were annoying."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said, smiling. "Go," she then urged him before she watched him head to their second youngest before they were leaving. Holding Josie against her chest, Beckett stroked her hair gently and watched the people in front of her as she waited for the two youngest to take their naps.