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 lyrics in this chapter are from the songs Need Your Loving Tonight written by John Deacon, from the Queen album The Game and Just For You written by Sam Cooke, from his album Portrait of a Legend: 1951-1964.
A/N #2: Pleased to get the feedback for the last chapter so I'll get started on my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (Really nice to see you thought the chapter was very good writing as always!) and
Mb (I was happy to see you thought the chapter was another wonderfully written update! And I'm glad you enjoyed Castle and Beckett alone together, lol, along with the other couples taking advantage of that time too with their own intimate times as you said. I was glad that you liked reading about them going to the adult section of the ships. Though I am glad too you noticed they wanted to rejoin their families to enjoy the cruise with them too. Hopefully the preview of what they'll do the rest of the cruise and vacation will be interesting! Pleased to see you thought the first half of the chapter was nicely done! You're welcome for the first half of the chapter! Great that you thought the second half of the chapter was another fun update. And I was so happy you enjoyed them playing that detective game. I watched a video of it on YouTube once I found out about it and it looks like a ton of fun no matter the age of the person! And I'm glad you liked the pirates night they had, lol, since that was interesting as well. I had to laugh at you saying it went boom to Castle and Beckett coming together again, but glad you could see it was in passion and love as you put it since it's definitely what I was aiming for! You're welcome for sharing, sorry to hear about the snow, hopefully you'll stay safe and warm while that's coming down! You're welcome for the second half of the chapter!).
Thanks for the reviews, loved reading them and I appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #3: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Island in the Sun written by Rivers Cuomo, from the Weezer album Weezer (Green Album).
For That Island In The Sun
"Keep your hat on sweetie," Beckett told Josie as they were walking on the dock after getting off the ship.
"But-" the toddler started to say.
"She's right, we're going to be in the sun really soon," Castle said. "Did you see the ship next door?"
"Yeah," Josie said, beaming at the sight of the Norwegian cruise ship that had a design on the side of it. "The ship is big," she told her parents, pointing to their ship, the Fantasy.
"It is, come on," Beckett said, urging her along gently so she wouldn't slow down since they weren't the only ones getting off the ship.
After they'd left the ship the group came to Tortola before they were getting some wristbands for their excursion.
"Look at the building," Ivy said happily when they were walking again.
"We've seen them before," Kathleen reminded her.
"Still, it's cool," Ivy said, waving to a woman on the wrap around verandah on the second floor.
"Pay attention girls," Skye called ahead.
"Are we going on another ship?" Eliza asked her grandfather who she was walking with.
"Your parents said it was a ferry to another island," Jim said with a smile.
"Oh," Eliza replied before they reached where the boat was docked. She climbed on and said to her grandfather, "Can I sit with Mommy and Daddy?" She was relieved when he agreed and she hurried to her parents and little sister as they were sitting in the middle of the seat at the back so they could look out at the water.
"Hey, thanks for joining us," Castle said, helping her before she was settled. "Your sister didn't want to," he added.
"Leave her alone Rick," Beckett said in amusement, Julia with her friends near them. "What do you think sweetie?"
"It's really pretty here too," Eliza said with a smile, looking at the hills around the port. She then looked back at her parents and asked, "How long until we get there?"
"This will take forty five minutes," Castle replied. He nearly laughed at the consternation on the little girl's face but held back and said, "It'll be worth it."
"Forty-five minutes, geez," Jacob said in mock annoyance.
"Oh stop complaining, at least we're getting to see something," Eve said.
"You still can't believe some people are staying on the ship," Peter told his girlfriend. He couldn't help laughing when she nodded with wide eyes before the ship was pulling away from the dock.
"Ooh," Josie squealed as they passed their cruise ship and were soon out in the open water. "Can I swim Mama?" she asked.
"We will, but we have to get there first," Beckett assured her before her husband was taking the toddler on his lap. Sure Josie was okay there, she wrapped her arm around Eliza and they watched the water the further they pulled away from Tortola.
Eventually, Julia noticed the darker blue water was becoming lighter and she soon said, "The water's going to be so clear," to her friends.
"I know, I can't wait to see whatever this is," Mari said before they were laughing just as the ferry was slowing down.
After they'd disembarked, the group boarded an open air vehicle before they were making their way through the island of Virgin Gorda. The younger kids were waving and calling hello to citizens that were walking on the road before their parents were calming them down and the vehicle was slowing down. Once they got off they were being told they would be gathering to tell everyone about the excursion and they were soon under a gazebo in the shade and learning about where they'd be going.
"Will you be alright Mother?" Castle asked since they'd been told it was a little hike to get to Devil's Bay first.
"I will," Martha assured him. "I said I wanted to see this."
"I owe you don't I?" Castle said.
"He doesn't," Beckett told her mother in law firmly. "We need to get going remember?" she told them since the tour guides had been firm about the time for lunch and returning to the ferry.
"What about Josie?" Castle asked.
"She wants to hike," Beckett said with a smile for her husband before they were walking. "Josie?" she called since the toddler was with her big sister.
"I can walk Mama!" Josie said once she was with her parents.
"We know, but you need to come with us," Beckett said, taking her hand before they were at the path and could see the water. She quickly took a picture before she called to the others and said, "Let's get a picture really fast," before they were all gathering. One of the tour guides took the shot for them and they were soon starting to walk, taking pictures while her husband was keeping hold of Josie for her.
"There's cacti," Eliza said, walking with her friends.
"And a lot of rocks, big ones," Ivy added.
"Yeah, those are cool," Fleur said.
"She's right," Marie said. "These boulders are huge!"
"Hopefully they don't fall over," Clive commented before they were focusing on walking.
At one point, when they were surrounded by foliage, Sophie let out a cry and said, "Snake!"
"No, that was a lizard," Brad said quickly to the others.
"I saw that," Skye commented, walking behind them. "I think that one was a blue lizard."
"Where?" Eliza asked with a gasp.
"It's long gone," the investigator said. "Sorry about that. But keep an eye out, you might see more."
Continuing, the group eventually came to a crossroads where they stopped to look at the signs there and have a brief break.
"We're going this way?" Ivy asked her mothers.
"Yeah, Devil's Bay," Skye replied. "You heard the tour guides."
"It's not bad is it?" Dani asked her parents worriedly.
"No, just a name," David reassured her, hugging her for a moment. "Should we continue?"
"I think we need to," Darnley commented before they were going straight instead of to the left.
"I wonder how the caves are," Mari said to Julia.
"No clue, but I hope we get to some water soon," the teen replied. "I wanted to get to it instead of just seeing it."
"Me too," Mari agreed with a smile.
Walking again, the group soon saw the water ahead of them until they came out onto a beach and the younger kids were yelling and starting to run.
"Hold on," Skye called out. When they stopped she smiled and said, "Good, now who said that you could run?"
"We want to go in the water," Eliza said with a wide smile.
"She's right Mum," Fleur said. "Before we 'ave to leave?"
"Continue," Castle corrected when the others were looking at him. "You already know what we're doing. But we can go in the water a little bit."
"Just your legs," Darnley said to his and Nkosi's children.
"And when we say we're leaving, we're leaving," Mary said. "Though I'm saying that to every kid." She laughed when the other parents were agreeing with her and then moved to get closer to the water.
Since they all were wearing water shoes for that trip, the kids were hurrying inside the water and exclaiming at the temperature of it before they were walking through to the boulders at the edge of the water.
"That picture came out nice," Mari said, standing with Julia by the bigger boulders in the water.
"Watch out, I'm taking a picture of the water," Julia said before she reached out and grabbed her friend's arm to stop her.
"Hey, I-" Mari started to say.
"Sorry, your shadow was in the perfect spot," Julia said after she'd taken the picture. She smiled at her friend and said, "Okay, we-" before she was cut off by Skye calling them in. "Never mind," she said.
"Hopefully wherever we're going next we can swim," Eve said as they were gathering together.
"We will," Lily assured her daughter.
"Okay, we're going to continue but this is going to be a little harder so I'm going to ask the oldest-" Castle started to say.
"We are going with you," Bethany interrupted.
"She's right," Jim said. "We said we'd continue."
"If you need to turn back then I hope you will," Nkosi told his parents.
"The same for you," Beckett said to her father and mother in law.
"We will," Martha said. "We should continue, they're very firm on us being at lunch and back on the ferry on time."
With that, the group went after the people who were walking to some steps and down a path before they reached some large boulders, the kids touching the rock gently. They took pictures but continued to walk until they were slowing down as a line formed ahead of them.
"Mother-" Castle started to say when he saw a knotted rope and people using that to go up steps ahead.
"Hush," Martha said. "I'm more concerned about Josie."
"She's fine," Castle said before he moved around their group to go to his wife who had waved to him.
"Sorry, I wanted you here with Josie for this part," Beckett explained. She wasn't surprised when her husband nodded in agreement and they focused on continuing after everyone else in the excursion.
Going up the steps, the group made their way through a path through the large boulders and Beckett glanced back at her husband to check on him. "Rick-" she started to say.
"I'm fine," Castle said swiftly. "Keep going."
Though she wasn't sure if she should have him go ahead, Beckett did so and paused for a moment at the top of the way down which was steps from the rocks. She continued, glancing back every so often with her right hand reaching back holding onto Josie's. "Are you okay?" she asked the toddler. At Josie's nod she kept her close as they continued, climbing and going through boulders until they were at stairs again with water at the bottom.
"Is this the beach?" Eliza asked, tugging her father's hand.
"No, how long have you been there?" Castle asked, smiling at her.
"Awhile," Eliza said.
"Are you doing okay?" Beckett said, looking back since they were stopped with the line ahead of them.
"Yep, it was fun going through the rocks," the little girl said with a beaming smile. "It's an adventure."
"Ooh, yeah?" Josie asked.
"Yeah, we don't walk like this at home," Eliza said with a giggle, smiling when her baby sister was nodding her head seriously.
"This is really cool," Peter said to his girlfriend.
"And a little scary," Julia said before Eve could respond. "We have to go backwards."
"Your sister's fine," Peter said quickly when he heard his girlfriend's slight gasp of surprise.
"And mine," Julia said with a smile since she was watching her parents guiding her baby sister down to the water. Once they were down there she said, "I'm going with my family." She saw Peter and Clive share a look and told them with a smile, "Come with us."
"Thanks," the latter said first.
"We're going to stick together," Eve said before her boyfriend could respond to that.
"See you," Julia said, walking with Clive to her family.
"Hey, is everyone splitting up?" Castle asked, noticing the two first.
"Except for Eve and Peter," Julia responded.
"Keep going," Beckett urged, reminding them there were people behind them.
"Are you taking pictures?" Julia asked since they were walking through a lot of large boulders. She wasn't surprised when her mother merely nodded as they were making their way outside again.
"Look, there's a window in the rocks!" Eliza exclaimed, looking up.
"Can we see?" Maddy asked her fathers.
"Oh no, too dangerous," Nkosi said with a smile. "And we need to get going."
Walking into boulders again, the group came to another rope to help them down a slight ramp made by a boulder. The youngest two were carried by their fathers until they were allowed to walk in the water before the tour guide already at the bottom in the water was talking to them.
"It's alright," Beckett said, going to the two since she was down first. "She's just telling us where we're going."
"To church?" Sophie asked in obvious confusion.
Beckett couldn't help laughing softly and said, "The cathedral, I think because of how it looks." She watched the others making their way before they started to continue and she told her husband, "I'm a little worried."
"They'll be alright-" Castle said, aware she was thinking of the section the tour guide had called 'how low can you go.'
"Not the toddlers," Beckett interrupted him. "You."
"I'll be fine," Castle said before he paused. "Hey, this is a really good spot for pictures but let's do it quickly."
Beckett, taken aback, looked in the direction he was and smiled when she spotted a corridor the boulders made where they met. The water was a brilliant blue there and she took a picture of her husband with their daughters before Skye took one of their whole family together.
It took a little for the families to take pictures, Beckett taking one of Peter and Clive on her phone to send to their parents, and they continued on from what they were told was the cathedral. They then moved on to walk through water that was the coldest they'd felt since they'd started walking through water. With the kids yelling or squealing in response they were soon through it and reaching the section how low can you go. They had to crouch low, but Josie and Sophie merely walked through watching the grownups before they reached The Baths.
"Now we can swim!" Keo exclaimed when they saw the beach.
Laughing together at the little boy's eager tone, the group moved past the trees and towards the beach. After setting up some chairs for the grandparents in the shade and towels, the group walked down to the water once they had their coverups off.
"This water is great," Mari told Julia once they were in it.
"I know," she replied with a smile before she went further ahead and moved so she could start swimming. Though it wasn't the first time they'd been in the same waters, she reveled in the warmth before going underneath. She wasn't surprised when she resurfaced that Mari was with her and she said, "I'm so glad we brought our snorkeling stuff."
"I thought the same thing," Mari said. "Let's go back."
Hurrying back to the beach, Julia and Mari were grabbing their equipment while her grandmother told her, "Don't go out too far."
"We won't," Julia promised with a smile. "Have fun Gram."
"I am," Martha assured her granddaughter before she was leaving.
In the shallow water still, Castle and Beckett were with their youngest before he turned to his wife saying, "Do you think we can take her with a mask for a little?"
"A little," Beckett replied, smiling when Josie started to jump on the water. "Do you want to swim?" she asked the toddler.
"Yeah," Josie said happily before they were making their way further in. Since she had on a vest she was letting herself float before she kicked her legs hard.
"Easy, easy sweetie," Beckett told her hurriedly, making her stop. "You have to let us help you." She wasn't surprised when the toddler nodded to her and she told her husband, "I think that's what I'm doing."
"I think so," Castle said, watching her taking Josie's hands and letting her start to swim around.
"Go," Beckett told him.
"Go?" Castle echoed, startled.
"Swim, I can take her for a little," Beckett said before she was pausing since her husband had moved into her way. "What?" she asked, looking up at him.
"No," Castle said firmly.
"You don't want to swim?" Beckett asked, nearly echoing him.
"Not at this moment," Castle said. "And I'd like to swim with you," he said seriously.
"So do I," Beckett replied before her husband was leaning down and kissing her cheek. She brought Josie to her so she could hold her and squeezed her husband's hand before she said, "We'll discuss that later."
"Should I be worried with that tone of voice?" Castle asked her jokingly.
"No, I'm just wondering why you won't take advantage," Beckett teased him before he was pressing his face to her hair.
"I just don't want to leave you right now," Castle said before he pulled away. "I hope it's a good enough reason," he told her seriously as he studied her.
"The water's clear," Beckett told him in amusement since his hand was on her waist.
"I know," Castle said easily, not surprised when his wife was laughing. He let her go then and took Josie, throwing her above him a little before he said, "Do you like it?"
"Yeah, can I see fish?" Josie asked.
"You're tired of swimming already," Beckett teased though they were walking back to the shore.
"No," Josie replied seriously. "I want fish."
"To see them I hope," Castle said jokingly. "You can't take them," he told her, laughing when she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek noisily. "Alright, we're going snorkeling right now sweetheart," he told her once he'd calmed down.
"Good," Josie said firmly before she was being put down once they reached the shallow water. She walked in between her parents, holding their hands and smiling at other kids who were walking through the water and talking and laughing.
"Are you taking her in the water?" Martha asked the three once they'd reached her.
"We are," Beckett answered as Josie went to her grandmother and was hugging her. "Sorry," she said since the toddler was still wet.
"It's fine," Martha replied, kissing Josie's temple. "As long as you're having fun."
"I am," the toddler said firmly. She smiled and asked, "Will you go Gram?"
"When your parents want to swim themselves," Martha assured her before looking at her son and daughter in law pointedly.
"We'll go Mother," Castle said. "Soon actually since we have to leave for lunch."
"Good," Martha said simply since she could tell they were ready to go.
"Mommy, Daddy!" Eliza called, hurrying up the beach to them.
"We're going snorkeling, do you want to come with?" Castle asked her when she got close. He wasn't surprised when she was nodding rapidly and he walked with her back to their things with his mother.
"Mama?" Josie asked.
"We'll go in soon," Beckett assured her.
"No Mama, do we go?" Josie said, shaking her head.
"Do you mean leave?" Beckett said to make sure. When her youngest nodded she smiled at her and said, "We do, not yet but we have a lunch at a place that's going to let us see the island and the water." She laughed softly when Josie's eyes went wide and hugged her gently against her before Castle was returning with Eliza. They led their daughters to the water before getting their masks on and moving to where other people were snorkeling.
Helping Eliza with her snorkel, Castle got his own and asked his wife, "Are you alright?"
"Go ahead," Beckett said. "But we'll switch," she added, not surprised when he was nodding before he was swimming out with Eliza. She turned to Josie and said, "Are you ready?"
"Yeah!" Josie said excitedly before her mother was helping her swim along the top of the water. She could see the sand under them and some feet before she was being pulled up. "Fishies?" she asked.
"I think they're further out sweetie," Beckett said. "This is the safest place for you to go okay?" She wasn't surprised when her youngest was frowning and she kissed her cheek saying, "When you're older we'll let you go out further. For now," stopping the toddler from protesting. "Let's go again?" she asked, smiling when Josie nodded rapidly again.
"Too bad Josa can't swim over here," Eliza told her father when they were straightening up.
"She gets to do it a little," Castle replied. "And you know we'll let her do more when she's older."
Eliza nodded before she was putting her snorkel back in her mouth and she and her father were going under again. Swimming along the bottom she spotted her mother and sister in the distance before she was going up towards them. "Hi," she said with a smile when they raised their heads as well.
"Hey, are you finished?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"No, I wanted to go with you," Eliza replied.
"And is that alright with your daddy?" Beckett said to her husband while he was resurfacing.
"I figured it was about time to switch," Castle commented. "So yeah, it's fine." He and his wife were switching their daughters and he turned to Josie asking, "Tired?"
"No Dada I want to swim," the toddler said firmly.
"Okay, then a little more before we go to lunch," Castle said.
"After?" Josie asked.
"Back to the ship," Castle said with a smile since he and Beckett had explained what they'd be doing that day.
"Why?" Josie asked.
"Well, all our things are there," Castle said, doing his best not to laugh. "And it'll be leaving before six so we need to get back on the ship to keep going."
"Oh," Josie said. "Dinner?"
"We're going to split up from the other families remember?" Castle asked. When she nodded he then said, "And I think we're having it at our suite tonight. Oh and Eve is going to be there so she and Peter can have dinner together." He laughed when the toddler was clapping her hands and then said, "I'm glad you're happy about that. And then we have the movie tonight remember?"
"Yeah," Josie said excitedly. "I want to see."
"And we will," Castle told her. "But for now, let's go back to swimming okay?" He wasn't surprised when she was nodding rapidly and he moved to help her so they could look under the water again.
"I'm surprised," Beckett said to her husband while she walked out to him.
"Surprised?" Castle asked with a frown.
"How little Josie ended up napping," Beckett said, not surprised her husband was laughing briefly before there was a knock on the door to the verandah.
Turning to look over the back of the couch, Castle couldn't help laughing again when he saw it was Josie, holding Eliza's hand, who was holding Julia's. "What're you doing?" he couldn't help asking as he got up swiftly when his wife went to let them in.
"Josa insisted," Julia explained.
"And where's everyone else?" Beckett asked.
"I'm here! I'm here," Mari said, rushing over to them. "I just wanted to make sure I had my sweater here for the movie."
"There was a change of plans," Julia said, smiling at her parents who appeared startled.
"I see that," Beckett said before her husband was getting his phone at the sound of his text alert. "David?" she asked him while he was reading it.
"Yeah, Julia invited Mari over for dinner and we're taking Dani back to the Animator's Palette," Castle read. "You didn't want to go?"
Shaking her head Mari said, "It was fun but, eh," smiling when Josie giggled.
"You're welcome to stay with us," Beckett told her.
"Thanks," Mari said immediately.
"That explains you," Castle said. "But we're missing a few others," he added, not surprised when all three girls were giggling.
"They told me to explain," Julia said when her sisters turned to her then. "Eve asked Peter to go with her and her family since her parents wanted them with them, and then they asked Clive to go with them."
"And your gram and grandpapa?" Beckett asked.
"Bethany and Joseph invited them to the buffet restaurant," Eliza said. She frowned and then said, "But Grandpapa said it's not a buffet."
"It's a regular restaurant for dinner," Castle explained. "And are they going with Patrick and Trevor?"
"No, they're going to the Enchanted Garden," Julia said. "You don't mind?"
"Oh no, if the grandparents want to go that's fine, they're taking you kids tomorrow night," Castle said.
"He's right," Beckett added when the kids were looking at her. "Though I hope you'll behave."
"I will," Josie said firmly.
"Me too," Eliza said swiftly.
"We'll help watch the younger kids," Julia said, motioning to herself and Mari who nodded quickly. "But don't worry about us," she added.
"And that's tomorrow night," Castle said. "No," he added in a rush when he saw Eliza opening her mouth to speak. "I'm not going to tell you about the shore excursion tomorrow, when we're there before the movie," he said firmly. "That way everyone can hear."
"But now," Beckett said as Eliza made a face. "I think we better look at the menu to decide what we want for dinner."
"Already?" Julia asked in surprise.
"Yeah, I'm going to write it down so I can call easily later," Castle explained.
"And then what're we going to do?" Eliza asked.
"She remembers," Julia said swiftly to their parents. "But Mari only thinks she knows."
"We're going into the Jacuzzi," Beckett said. "So I hope you have your bathing suit on."
"Under this," Mari replied with a wide smile. "She told me to wear it in case."
"I wasn't sure," Julia said. "So, the menu?"
Castle and Beckett laughed when Josie cheered and they calmed her down so they could move to the menus they had for room service. Once everyone had chosen what they wanted and Castle had written it down, Beckett was taking the girls to the bedroom so she could help them with their sunscreen. When they'd finished they went outside on the verandah and the four girls went into the Jacuzzi first.
"Sorry," Eliza said as Castle was leaning against the side of the tub near her.
"Sorry what?" he asked, startled.
"You were going to come in here," Eliza replied.
"Probably not," Castle said. "Your mom would have."
"Why don't you come in now Mom? You can hold Josa," Julia told her.
"When its our turn," Beckett replied firmly. She wasn't surprised when her second oldest made a face and then said, "But you're enjoying it right?"
"Yeah, but…" Eliza said first before looking at her big sister.
"Do you want to go to the pools and screen a little early?" Castle asked with a smile, studying them.
"Yeah!" Josie said eagerly, standing up before her foot slipped and she was going under the water. She was in shock for a moment before she was kicking her legs wildly and someone was helping her up. Blinking rapidly through the water dripping down her face, she saw it was her mother and she burst into tears.
"It's okay," Beckett soothed her. "You did what you're supposed to do."
"Is she really okay?" Eliza asked in concern.
"She is, in shock though," Castle said, rubbing at the toddler's back as well. "But I think someone's going to have to hold onto her."
"I didn't think she'd stand up like that," Beckett said, smiling a little before she was kissing the top of the toddler's head. She watched her husband get up and grab a towel before he walked up to her. "Thank you," she said as he gently dried Josie's face. "Better now sweetie?" she asked. When the toddler nodded she kissed her cheek and said, "You know why you shouldn't stand like that right?"
"Yeah," Josie said, sniffing before she was startled when her mother was letting her stand next to her. "But Mama-" she said.
"You can stand," Beckett interrupted gently. "But if someone is holding you." She smiled when the toddler nodded and said, "And you can swim but wait until your daddy is here too." She then looked at the girls and said, "Okay?"
"Yeah, what about bubbles?" Julia asked.
"Hold on," Castle said, walking around to where the controls were. He turned it on for ten minutes and said, "Have fun."
"Daddy, you should come in," Eliza said. "We can fit."
"I could," Castle said, looking at his wife.
"Come in," Beckett said with a smile. She watched him going back to the controls and asked, "How long did you put that?"
"For another five," Castle said. "And that's because then we do need to get ready for dinner." He then joined the others in the tub and leaning back said, "This is nice."
"When is the ship going leave for the next place?" Eliza asked.
"At five forty-five," Beckett said, raising her husband's arm and looking at his watch. "So another forty-five minutes left."
"Where are we going to be?" Eliza then inquired.
"We can watch from here," Beckett said. She wasn't surprised when the girls asked to do that and said, "We will, your daddy will order dinner as soon as we're out." She saw the way her husband's brow was furrowed and said with a smile, "I didn't realize the time."
"Right," Castle said. "So we'll eat and then go to the pools."
"So we can go," Julia said.
"Yes," Beckett replied laughing. "But it would be nice if you just waded okay?"
"We'll go swimming again, don't worry," Castle said. He wasn't surprised when all four were nodding and he leaned back, sliding his arm around his wife's waist under the bubbles. They were quiet until Josie told them she wanted to swim and they allowed her to go to Julia and Mari with their help until the bubbles turned off.
Beckett couldn't help laughing at the way all four girls were groaning in disappointment and told them, "You knew we had to get out."
"At least we're going to a pool later," Julia said.
"Mommy!" Eliza gasped suddenly.
"What?" Beckett asked, pausing in drying off Josie.
"Can we watch the movie in the water?" Eliza asked eagerly.
"No," Castle said firmly.
"Why not?" Eliza asked in disappointment.
"Because it's not a good place to sit," Beckett said. "It is concrete. We'll get some nice chairs."
"She's right," Julia said when her sister looked at her. She wrapped her towel around her and then asked her mother, "What're we going to do now?"
"What would you like to do?" Castle asked.
Looking around the verandah, Julia said, "Do you have any games?"
"Let me look," Castle said laughingly, returning inside.
"Go," Beckett said then, gently pushing Eliza to the doorway.
"Why?" the little girl asked in surprise.
"Because we need to get dressed," Beckett replied. "And I need to dry your sister's hair."
"It's not that cold Mom," Julia said.
"Keep going," Beckett said in amusement before she was following them inside to hear thudding. "Rick?" she called to him.
"Here," Castle said, popping up from behind the bar. "I found a game but I got thirsty. Anyone else want some water?"
"I'm okay," Beckett said when the three oldest went to the bar. "But Rick, get dressed."
"Sure," Castle said, taking a quick drink from his bottle before he walked around the bar. "They have a little bowling game. So let's play until we leave the port and I have to order dinner." He wasn't surprised there was no protest and they were heading to the verandah after they had their coverups on. He set up the pins first and he and Beckett played with the girls until they moved to chairs and sat, watching the four. "I'm not surprised Mari ended up here," he told her as he took her hand.
"Neither am I," Beckett said, entwining their fingers. "But after tomorrow night we're sticking together."
"Definitely," Castle said with a nod. He and Beckett then congratulated their youngest on her throw before he looked at his watch.
"Time?" Beckett asked, watching him. When he nodded he stood with her and said, "Should we tell-" before her husband was interrupting her with a kiss. Though the girls could see them, she couldn't resist and responded though they weren't doing anything too passionate. When they were parting slowly she smiled and said, "Risky."
"You're aware I love doing that," Castle teased her before they were sharing a brief kiss. They turned to the girls when they heard the ship's horn going off and the youngest two squealed before they were rushing to the railing.
"Who're you waving to?" Julia asked her little sister, seeing she was waving furiously.
"The people down there," Eliza replied. The ship was moving and soon in the water before she turned to see her father was going into the suite. "Can we watch the ship sailing?" she asked her mother.
"Of course," Beckett replied. "But once dinner comes you're coming inside," she added firmly before her daughter was nodding rapidly and responding quickly.
"Dinner's ordered," Castle said as his wife was walking in with Josie.
"Did they say how long?" Beckett asked.
"About thirty, forty minutes," Castle replied. "Are you all dry?" he asked their youngest.
"Yeah," Josie said, nodding seriously.
"Her hair isn't," Beckett said simply. "But I just need a washcloth."
"And then she should join her sisters," Castle said. "Mari too," he added hurriedly when the three were rushing outside to lean against the railing. He went to their bathroom and got a washcloth before he gave it to his wife and sat next to her on the couch. "Until then," he began.
"Until then what?" Beckett replied with a smile.
"Think they'll want to keep playing?" Castle asked her.
"Let them decide," Beckett said. She grabbed Josie's sundress and helped her get it back on before she told the toddler, "You're all done sweetie, you-"
"I guess she knows what she wants to do," Castle said in obvious amusement as they were watching the toddler hurrying back outside.
"I think so," Beckett said before she paused. "Rick," she said, trying to emit a warning in her tone, but failing since she was still wearing her bikini as his hand slid over her side. She allowed him to pull her closer and closed her eyes as he brushed his lips to her shoulder. "Someone's… going to run in," she said, hesitating at first when he slid up to her neck and kissed at it.
"I know," Castle said, pulling away carefully. He pressed a kiss to the side of her head and murmured against her hair, "I want you again love."
"I know," Beckett said with a smile before she was turning to look at him. "But you need to wait."
"So do you," Castle shot back jokingly, smiling when she laughed before wrapping her arms around him tightly. He put his around her waist before he moved and captured her lips to kiss her. He couldn't stop himself and was doing it a bit passionately before he forced himself to stop. When they'd parted and had recovered their breath a little he told her, "So we're going outside?"
"I think so," Beckett said before they were getting up. She grabbed her blue sundress and slipped it on once the towel was out of the way, taking her husband's hand and walking over to the doorway to join the girls.
With Castle and Beckett standing at the railing as well, the group watched the ship sailing back out to sea until they heard a knock on the door. Once their food was on the table inside they called the four girls before Eliza was rushing to them.
"Can we eat outside?" the girl said hopefully.
Looking outside, Castle then turned to his wife and said, "It's possible."
"I know, but you need to be careful not to spill anything," Beckett said.
"I won't, I'll take my food too," Eliza replied firmly.
"Me too," Josie said loudly.
"Okay, but you need to carry it very carefully," Beckett told them though she was focusing on the toddler specifically.
"I can help her," Castle told his wife.
"Alright," Beckett said, squeezing his hand back since he'd taken hers. She picked up her plate and drink and followed the others outside before they got everything set down on the table to the right of the verandah. "What're you doing?" she asked Josie as she moved to sit on the floor.
"I think it's easier to sit there," Castle commented when Eliza was following her sister's example.
"I know, and that's fine but if it's too hot then go back on your chairs," Beckett told the two who were already biting into their sandwiches.
"It's fine Mom," Julia said. When her mother glanced at her she smiled and said, "I don't have my sandals on."
"Neither do I," Mari added.
"You'll put them on when we leave," Castle told the two. When they nodded he glanced at the youngest and murmured to his wife, "Them too."
"I saw," Beckett said with a smile. She looked at the water ahead of them and then asked the girls, "Did you enjoy going off the ship today?"
"Yeah, that was so much fun," Eliza said enthusiastically before she was looking at her father.
"Not yet," Castle said firmly.
Beckett did her best not to smile at the way Eliza breathed out hard before she said, "We'll see everyone else soon."
"Mom?" Julia asked after they'd been silent while eating again.
"Yes?" Beckett replied with a smile.
"You don't mind not going to see Aladdin?" Julia asked.
"No," Beckett said, sharing a look with her husband. "Though do you mind if we don't go with you?"
"No, but… what if it's really good?" Eliza asked.
"Then you'll have to tell us," Castle assured her. "But again, we could reschedule."
"No you can't," Mari said. She couldn't help smiling when the Castles were looking at her and explained, "I asked my parents the same question, but my dad said you couldn't get tickets for everyone and you couldn't get for another night either."
"That's true, I got them a little too last minute," Castle admitted when Eliza looked at him. "Sorry, but I did think of us going with you on the last night of the cruise when I found that out."
"That's okay, but after tomorrow we'll go together right?" Eliza asked.
"You mean stay together," Beckett said. She smiled when both Eliza and Josie nodded and said, "We will."
"What about the cases, are we still going to do those?" Eliza asked, smiling at her baby sister when she was gasping.
"The last day we have at sea," Castle said. "Don't worry, we want to see you guys solve those too."
"You mean Lizzy," Julia said.
Making a face, Eliza said, "I know you and the older kids knew already who did it."
"Not until the potion bottle though," Mari said with a smile.
"She's right, the tooth was what let us know we were right," Julia replied.
"Did you like it?" Castle asked the two older girls.
"Yeah, the only way we can work on a real case," Mari said. She shared a smile with Julia and said, "Until we're older."
"Not until you're older," Beckett said, pretending to be annoyed. "It's if you ever become a detective."
"I probably won't," Julia said with a shrug.
"Me neither," Mari said, smiling. "But you'll let us know about your cases right?"
"I think just Julia," Castle said before his wife was gently nudging his side. "Oh, well, I guess we can't stop Julia from telling you."
"Unless their parents say no," Eliza commented, having been listening closely to the conversation.
"They know already," Mari replied. She smiled and then said, "And as long as I don't hear that much, like Julia."
"Oh, I think we're done," Castle commented abruptly.
Seeing her father was looking at his watch, Julia said with a frown, "What's going on?"
"We need to go," Castle said simply. Though the girls were frowning at him he and Beckett were standing and urging them to help them clean up so they could head down to where the movie would be shown.