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: It was nice to get the feedback I did for the last chapter so I'll get to my thank you for that! Mb (Really happy to see you thought the first half of the chapter was very enjoyable! And I was pleased to see you loved the interaction between Castle, Beckett and Josie since that was fun to write. I'm glad you think Josie is adorable, since I haven't been around kids that age for a while I'm glad I got that interaction written well! It was nice to see you though it was great them at the studio interacting and being on the dance floor along with the other contestants! I was pleased to see you thought they got great feedback, the kids, about their dance and then coming back too! You're welcome for the first half of the chapter! I was glad you enjoyed the second dance there was with Derek and Hailey, thought it was be fun to put that in. And I was really happy that you liked it showing Skye and Mary at home with their kids, thought it would be fun to be different with that! And I wasn't surprised you noted the talk Skye and Mary had about the FAA, yeah when I wrote that scene it was quite a while ago so it was interesting to reread that and recall what's happening now. I was pleased you enjoyed the Castles with Peter and Mari at the airport getting ready to go back home too! You're welcome for sharing the second half of the chapter! And I noticed the site is still acting up with regards to the chapter, but hopefully it'll stay fixed now!).
Thanks for the review, loved reading it and I appreciate the time taken to write it out and send it my way!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is the name of a song though I'm not sure who wrote it, from the O.A.R. album Soul's Aflame.
I Feel Home
Blinking a few times, Peter realized he was seeing sunlight and he sighed as he pushed himself off the bed. He went to his bathroom and once he had finished in there he started brushing his hair.
"Peter?" Genevieve asked as she pushed the door open.
"Hey Mom," the teen said with a wide smile at his mother. He hurried over to her and shared a hug with her saying, "I'm back."
"I can see that," Genevieve replied in amusement while she cupped his face with her hands. "But why are you awake?"
"I slept the whole flight," Peter said. "And the drive here," he added firmly.
"And you're not tired," Genevieve stated instead of asking.
"Not really," Peter replied.
"Alright but if you get tired at the Castle's later take a nap," Genevieve said. She wasn't surprised when her son was making a face and she said, "You never know if they might do that."
"I'll… see," Peter said slowly. "How're Clive and Emily?"
"They're good," Genevieve answered. "Your dad too."
"I was going to ask," Peter said in a mock defensive tone. "I have presents for everyone."
"Give them at breakfast," Genevieve replied. "If you're leaving with us you need to be ready to go."
"I will," Peter replied before his mother was leaving. He then got dressed in a rush since he didn't have to wear his uniform and then got the gifts in their bag. When he reached the nook where they'd been eating meals off the kitchen he said, "Morning," to the rest of his family.
"Morning." "Hey," Isaac and Clive said.
"Are you tired too?" Isaac asked his son with a frown. Since he was eating he wasn't surprised Clive was merely shrugging his shoulders and he turned his attention back to his food.
"You're not staying home today Dad?" Peter eventually asked when they'd finished eating.
"No, I need to go in," Isaac replied. "And hopefully you'll watch your sister."
"I said I would," Peter said swiftly since his mother had told him she could stay with him instead of going to the day care near her office.
"What're you going to do?" Clive asked.
"Homework," Peter said. He studied his brother and said, "You think I'm just going to goof around?"
"They have a game room too," Clive said before he and his brother started to laugh. That lasted a little longer when their baby sister was doing the same before they did their best to calm down. "Sorry," he said to their parents.
"It's alright, but we need to get ready," Genevieve told the boys with a smile.
"Are we going all together?" Peter asked.
Shaking her head, since she was drying off Emily's hands, Genevieve said, "Your dad is taking your brother and I'm taking you two."
Peter nodded and then waited for them to finish cleaning up before he said, "Alright, I hope you'll like these," handing out what he'd gotten at Disneyland for his family.
"This is cool," Clive said, looking at the Star Wars shirt he'd gotten.
"He's right," Isaac said since he'd gotten one too.
"Don't worry," Genevieve told her son with a smile as she was looking at her pen. "This'll be great to use at the office."
"It has Alice in Wonderland on it," Peter told her.
"I see, thank you," Genevieve said, hugging her son with one arm. She then looked at her youngest and said, "It looks like Emily likes the Minnie doll you brought."
Turning to look himself, Peter was smiling and said, "Good thing, there were a lot to choose from."
"Okay, we need to go," Genevieve said, shaking herself.
Getting the bag since it wasn't empty yet, Peter followed his family to the entry and got his jacket while they were getting their things. In the garage he said goodbye to his dad and brother, telling them he'd see them at the Castles before he got into his mother's car.
"You did amazing last night," Genevieve told her son while she was going down the driveway eventually.
"You already told me that," Peter said, feeling his cheeks heat up a little.
"I know but I wanted you to be sure how proud of you I am," Genevieve replied. She smiled at her son briefly and then said, "You're a great dancer."
"Thanks," Peter said in embarrassment. He then said, "Will you let Emily try to dance?"
"If she wants to," Genevieve said with a nod, not mentioning the fact he had asked that at breakfast. "And we're here," she said quickly when they'd reached the Castle house. She opened her window and pressed the button for the intercom, telling Castle when it was answered, "It's Genevieve, I'm here to drop off Peter and Emily."
"Did you guys decide on what you wanted to do?" Castle asked the girls.
"Well… we need to watch Sesame Street with Josa don't we?" Julia responded with her own question.
Before she was answering, Beckett smiled at the toddler clapping her hands and said, "We do, with Emily and the twins of course. But you guys don't really have to."
"I want to," Eliza said firmly.
"Me too," Julia added.
"That's just because you're trying to delay doing your homework," Castle teased them. He wasn't surprised when they were making faces in response and then said, "Okay, but after we watch the show…"
"We'll do our homework," Julia replied firmly before she looked around the kitchen. "Is that it?" she asked.
"It is," Beckett replied. She was surprised when Julia came close to her and asked, "What is it?"
"Do you need to go to the market?" Julia asked.
Studying her daughter, Beckett couldn't help smiling and said, "If you're close to finishing your homework or are done then you can come with us."
"Great," Julia replied, beaming at her before they were looking towards the front of the house at the chime for the intercom.
After he had spoken with Genevieve, Castle pressed the button for the gate and said, "Our guests are here."
"We know Dad," Julia said with a slight smirk on her face.
"Do you have everything you need for homework?" Martha asked her granddaughters. She smiled when they looked at her in confusion and she said, "I saw you both glancing over at the game room."
"We're going to do our homework," Eliza said firmly before her parents were opening the front door.
After they had greeted the three Lennoxes, Genevieve was hurrying to leave for her office, promising she and her husband would be there later.
"How're you doing?" Castle asked Peter.
"I'm good," he said firmly. "My mom was worried that I was going to be tired but I feel okay." Hesitating for a moment, Peter then asked, "She didn't tell you I should take a nap did she?"
"She told me if we were going to do that then you should too," Beckett said. She smiled when the boy was groaning and said, "We probably won't, but you should consider it."
"I will," Peter said. "What're we doing now?" he asked.
"First give us your jacket," Castle said. "And then we're going to show the little kids Sesame Street."
"Are we allowed to watch?" Peter asked.
"You are," Beckett said as they were moving then to the family room. "But after that will be your homework."
"Okay, so… it's okay I have my backpack?" Peter asked them.
"We're going to do our homework at the kitchen table," Eliza said.
"You can take yours there, put them with ours," Julia said before she waited for her dance partner to take his backpack down further. She was startled when they all heard him yelling briefly and she was hurrying down to the kitchen with the others.
"Sorry, sorry it's just Mari," Peter said. "I thought she was here."
"No, I went home too," the girl said firmly. Mari then smiled and said, "Hi."
"Hey, you can put your backpack here," Julia said, smiling back at her friend.
"Are you ready to watch Sesame Street?" Eliza asked.
"Sure," Mari said before she was following the others into the family room.
After they were all settled Castle started the show before they were watching quietly to allow youngest to learn.
"I thought that would last longer," Peter said to his friend when it was over.
"I know, but… I mean once we have it finished then we won't have to worry about it tomorrow," Julia told him. She shared a smile with Mari when he shrugged and then she said to them, "Mom said if we're close to finishing or done we could go with her and Dad to the market." She paused and then said, "If you guys wanted to go too at all," wondering if they would.
"That would be fun," Mari said. "And if we're still doing our homework it'd be great to take a break."
"That's true," Peter said. "Okay, I'll go," he said, Mari nodding next to him. He then asked, "Are your parents making lunch?"
"No, they want the day off from cooking," Julia said. "I suggested the pho place and they said we all need to agree."
"Sounds good," Peter said simply.
"He's right, I'm fine with that," Mari added. "What about your sisters?"
"I'm not sure if Josa knows what that is," Julia replied carefully. She then paused and said with a smile, "She said she wanted it though," not surprised when her two friends were laughing in response. "Eliza said she was okay with it too," she then added when they had calmed down.
"Great, and it's by the market so we'll get that," Castle said. He smiled when the three looked over at him in surprise and said, "We can hear you."
"No you couldn't, we were talking low," Julia protested though she was soon after smiling.
"He's right," Beckett said then before her husband could say anything. "And we'll get that but later."
"We're going right now," Julia assured her mother quickly before they were moving to leave the room.
"What about you two?" Jim asked his daughter and son in law when the four kids had left.
"Do you want to play with them?" Castle asked, though he was directing that mostly towards his mother.
"Yes," Martha said firmly before she looked at Josie. "Do you mind that?"
"No, I want to play with the babies," the toddler said firmly.
"The twins won't be able to do much," Beckett warned her. She couldn't help smiling at the way Josie ignored her and moved to sit with Emily and then said to her husband, "Should we plan what we need to get?"
"Probably," Castle said. "Though I don't want to bother the kids."
"We won't," Beckett replied firmly. She watched him hesitate before she told their parents, "We will be getting pho so I hope you'll let us know your orders before we leave for the market."
"Who will be going with you?" Jim asked since Martha was with the kids.
"Probably the four in the kitchen," Castle replied. "So that's our gift to you, more time with the youngest."
"I'm not surprised," Martha said. "And thank you."
"You're welcome," Castle said, taking his wife's hand before he pulled her to their office.
"Rick," Beckett told him warningly when he was closing the door.
"I just wanted to check one thing," Castle replied seriously. "Are we still going back to writing on Thursday?"
"It's what we agreed on," Beckett said, her tone firm.
"Great," Castle said before he was pulling her to him and kissing her deeply.
Beckett had already been aware of what her husband was planning to do, so she responded eagerly to the kiss until they were slowly parting. She smiled as he pressed his forehead to hers and told him, "You're lucky."
"Believe me, I know," Castle said before he lightly brushed his lips to hers. When he pulled away enough to look into her eyes he asked, "I have to stop, don't I?" At her nod he couldn't help giving an affected sigh before she laughed and pulled away from him. "I'm going to call something in later," he told her firmly while she was grabbing the doorknob.
"Something? Just demand it," Beckett said with a smirk at him before she opened the door and stepped out.
It took Castle a moment before he was shaking himself of his slight shock at her words, moving to follow her and put what she had said out of his mind for the moment. "Hey," he said to the kids who looked up at him entering the room. "We need to make a list of what we need so we'll try to be quiet," he explained to them.
"That's fine, we've gotten a lot done," Julia said.
"Really?" Beckett asked, turning from the fridge.
"I don't have that much," Eliza said. "Reading and I just finished that."
"For English?" Julia asked.
Nodding Eliza then said, "All I have is math and then I'm done."
"How many pages do you have for that?" Castle asked.
"Just two chapters," Eliza replied. "And… I think I need to ask Grandpapa for help for tomorrow's lesson."
"You can," Beckett said. "But would you mind if I helped you?"
"Oh… is Grandpapa playing with the babies?" Eliza asked, surprised at first before she realized what her mother meant.
"He and your gram," Castle answered. "So let your mom help out."
"Not you?" Julia couldn't help asking, looking up from her French translation she was working on.
"I could, but it's more up to your sister," Castle replied.
"Mommy," Eliza said swiftly when the others were looking at her.
"Great," Castle said. "Now back to work please."
"You too," Julia teased him. She laughed with her friends and sister at the way her father was playfully saluting before they returned to their homework.
"I still don't know why you're so excited to come," Beckett told Eliza teasingly since the little girl was squeezing at her hand a little in her eagerness.
"It's fun to come here," the girl replied. She smiled and then said, "And to see if there's anything special."
"Not right now," Beckett said firmly.
"No?" Eliza asked, pretending to be disappointed.
"Not yet," Beckett said. "We're going to have a little party tonight, so you'll get something then."
Eliza gasped and then clapped her hands eagerly saying, "That means we get to pick it out now!"
"Yes," Beckett said laughingly. "But wait until we're all together and at the bakery okay?"
"Okay, here comes Daddy," Eliza said, her tone still eager as her father and the other three were coming up to them with a shopping cart.
"The order is set," Castle said once they'd reached the two. "And they'll have it ready in an hour."
Nodding Beckett said, "Are you ready?"
"Yeah, Julia has the list," Castle replied.
"You'll stay with us?" Beckett asked Mari and Peter.
"Yeah, I don't want to get in trouble later," the teen said first.
"Neither do I," Mari said firmly. She then smiled and said, "I promised to help Julia anyway."
"Great, we'll go faster," Castle said. He paused for a moment and then glanced at his wife before he said, "And get to the bakery to pick out our dessert for tonight."
"I know you told them already," Beckett told her husband wryly.
"We asked," Julia said.
Shaking her head, Beckett was smiling as she told the kids, "We will pick something but we need to grab the more important food first." After the four had nodded, she led the way to the produce before she was getting fruit first.
With Julia and Mari taking charge of the list they made their way around the market until they had finished and moved to the bakery by the produce.
"Are you regretting this?" Castle asked, glancing at his wife with a smile while they were watching the kids.
"No, but I hope they won't take that long," Beckett said. She paused and then added, "Or go too crazy."
"Like I would have," Castle told her. He smiled when she laughed briefly before he was taking her hand and squeezing it gently. "Oh, I think they finished," he said when he looked at the kids and then let her go since they were approaching them.
"We found something," Julia said.
"Okay, but you realize you need to show us right?" Castle asked teasingly. He wasn't surprised when the kids were all making faces at him and said, "Seriously, show us."
"We don't have it," Julia said first.
"It's in the display," Eliza added in a rush.
"A cake?" Beckett asked with a slight frown.
"Come and see," Julia replied while her sister was hurrying to take their mother's hand.
Allowing Eliza to pull her, Beckett peered into the bakery display and saw her pointing out a fruit tart.
"That looks good right?" Eliza asked, looking a little nervously at her mother.
"It does," Castle said before his wife could speak. "Healthier… sort of," he said, adding the last when she was looking at him.
Rolling her eyes, Beckett said, "He's right. And yes we can get it."
"Thank you!" Eliza cried, hugging her tightly.
"You're welcome, but we're not having it until tonight," Beckett said firmly though she was responding to her daughter's embrace. She then gently pulled her back and said, "And you're not taking it to school on Thursday if we still have some."
"Okay," Eliza said.
"We can go," Castle said, holding the container with the tart inside.
"Good, the order is going to be ready soon," Beckett said after she'd looked at her father's watch. She wasn't surprised when the kids weren't protesting and they were shortly after making their way to the registers.
Once they'd paid and had loaded their bags in the car, Castle led the others to the restaurant down a little from the market. He was relieved to find they didn't have to wait for very long and once they were leaving with more bags he said, "I hope you kids aren't bored."
"Bored how?" Peter couldn't help asking.
"This isn't exactly… as exciting as going around the Bath on the cruise," Castle commented.
"Oh that was so fun!" Eliza said eagerly. She then grew serious and said, "But this wasn't bad Daddy, it was fun."
"Better than school," Peter muttered before he was soon laughing with the other kids. "Just joking," he said to the writers as they were beginning to get into the car.
"I hope so," Beckett said though she was smiling at him. Once the four were set in the back she moved to get into the passenger seat while her husband was starting the car. During the drive back she said, "I know you guys want to go play in the game room, but before that will you let us get the youngest ready for their naps?"
While the three girls were saying no, Peter said, "I'd like to get Emily ready for a nap."
"Do you do that often?" Castle asked, glancing to the back row of the car where the teen was sitting.
"Yeah, but I don't usually put her to bed. Mom and Dad do that," Peter said.
"You might need to today," Castle said. "Unless you mind."
Peter was silent for a moment before he said, "I kind of would like to."
"You will," Beckett assured him before they were nearing the house. In the garage she had Eliza take the tart since the other bags were too heavy, the other three kids taking the lighter bags including their lunch. She and Castle unloaded the bags in the kitchen together while Julia and Eliza were setting the dining room table. "I think that's it," she said eventually, looking at the empty bags.
"We are, I'm getting my soup," Castle said jokingly though he was gathering up the bags. Once he had them all he went to the entry and set them on the bench by the front door, hurrying back to the kitchen since he saw turning around that everyone was there.
"Richard," Martha said sternly, spotting him.
"What? I'm not running," Castle said, not surprised when the kids were laughing at his tone.
"You're close," Martha said, shaking her head and smiling as he passed her to go to the sink.
"I'm fine," Castle replied firmly before he was washing his hands. Since everyone else was ready at that moment, he was grabbing his bowl and container of broth before following them to the dining room. Sitting down he watched his wife while she was getting Josie set with her bento box lunch and then making sure the twins in between them were fine in their carriers. Since they were holding their toys he turned to his wife and said, "I'm glad we did this."
"The lunch or not writing?" Beckett asked teasingly.
Smiling back at her, Castle said, "Both."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett replied wryly before she turned to Josie.
During lunch the older kids spoke together where they were sitting towards the end of the table about what they'd play in the game room.
"You know you don't have to play with us," Julia said eventually.
"I know, but I didn't really want to play by myself," Peter said. "But… are we going to be able to decide with each other?"
"Julia and I do it all the time," Mari said, glancing at her friend and giggling a little when she looked at them with wide eyes since she was eating from her pho.
"She's right," Julia eventually said, speaking rapidly. She smiled and then said, "We can do rock, paper, scissors if we need to."
Seeing the expression on the other teen's face Mari asked in amusement, "Have you done that with Clive?"
"A few times," Peter said swiftly. He then said, "Usually for movie nights if we can't all agree on a movie."
"Does it work?" Julia then inquired.
"Yeah, but that's mostly because Mom doesn't want us to fight," Peter said before they were laughing.
When they'd calmed down, the three kids were hurrying to help getting the table cleared since Martha and Jim were taking the twins to Alexis' room for their nap. As they were finishing, Eliza hurried to her mother, tugging on her hand before she spoke.
"Can we start now?" the girl asked.
"Start what?" Beckett asked.
"Getting them ready," Eliza said in a matter of fact tone.
"I think so," Beckett said, trying not to laugh at the same time. "But you need to let Josie and Emily walk around a little first."
"I remember," Eliza replied while she was going to her little sister. She took her hand and said, "Want to walk with me?"
"Yeah," the toddler replied, nodding. She held her sister's hand before they were going down the hall towards the entry, the other kids and dogs following them.
"I hope they'll be alright," Martha said, watching them while the others were cleaning up the dishes.
"They've slept in the same crib before," Castle commented, aware of what his mother was talking about.
"I just want to make sure," Martha replied. "You are still moving her to her bed."
"Soon," Beckett said with a nod.
"The same night of the party," Castle added before he was looking with his wife down the hall.
"We'll be right back," Beckett said in a rush since she saw Julia was holding Finn who was fast asleep. She went to the teen and gently took the baby, making sure she didn't wake him up before she watched her husband getting Emmie from Mari. They made their way up the stairs before they were turning to find Peter and Eliza were following.
Though Josie wasn't asleep, Eliza pulled her sister upstairs after her until they were in Alexis' room. They watched as their parents put the twins in their crib and then led them to Josie's room. She let go of her sister's hand and watched in the doorway as the last two youngest kids were soon put into the crib before they were heading back downstairs.
"Everyone that needs to be taking a nap is taking one," Castle said after they were with the others in the game room.
"We figured," Julia said teasingly. She smiled when her father frowned at her and said, "You're here."
"Okay, okay," Castle said in mock annoyance. "Are we still playing?"
"We are," Beckett told him, going to the control panel. After she had turned on the games she went to the pool table with her husband. "Are you sure?" she asked him in amusement.
"Yeah… you don't want to now?" Castle asked her in slight surprise.
Beckett couldn't help smiling again after she'd gotten her cue and then told him, "I do, but we're going to discuss what the winner wants later."
"I'm fine with that," Castle said, keeping his voice low as she'd done. He squeezed her hand and then said, "But I hope you have something in mind."
"You're that sure you're going to lose?" Beckett asked with a smirk while she was watching him move to rack the balls. She wasn't surprised when he merely looked at her and she rolled her eyes before he finished. Once she had chalked her cue she moved to hit the triangle and their game began. Though they were focused on what they were doing both she and Castle were keeping an eye on the kids who had moved eventually to form two groups.
"I thought Eliza was going to stay with them," Castle commented while he watched Eliza playing skeeball with her grandparents.
"I think they wanted to spend time with her," Beckett said.
"And Julia?" Castle asked her.
Shrugging, Beckett turned her attention to the pool table and took her shot before she missed her second and let her husband end the game easily. "So… your turn," she told him with a smile as she went over to him.
"I guess so," Castle said. He hesitated for a moment and said, "We couldn't talk about it now?"
"No," Beckett said in amusement. "Not until we're on our own," she said firmly.
"Okay, then what would you like to do?" Castle asked, stepping closer to her. "Two out of three?"
"I think we're good," Beckett told her husband. "What about racing?"
"Great idea-" Castle started to say before his wife was putting her hand on his arm to stop him.
"We're not going to compete for anything," Beckett told him firmly.
"Sure," Castle replied seriously.
"Good," Beckett said, smiling before she took her husband's brief kiss. As soon as they parted she was taking his hand and pulled him with her to the racing game consoles.
"Peter," Julia said, nudging her friend's side.
"Sorry," he said, shaking himself before he looked at the baseball game in front of him. Before he could start it he stated, "Your parents do that a lot."
"Yeah, yours don't?" Julia asked.
"Mine too," Mari said quickly when Peter was looking at her.
"They do," he then said before he was a little startled at the smile Julia was soon sporting as she looked at him.
"I know why you glanced at them," Julia said. "You're thinking of Eve aren't you?"
"I… kind of am," Peter slowly admitted. He then said, "I mean it's been a while since I saw her."
"Luckily you're going to see her tonight," Mari said. She paused and then corrected herself saying, "I mean this afternoon."
"And in her bathing suit," Julia couldn't help quipping. She wasn't surprised when the two were looking at her, slight frowns on their faces and she shrugged. "I can't help it, I grew up around Dad and I was bound to pick up stuff like that."
Shaking her head, Mari said, "You're lucky we don't mind that."
"And you're lucky I know you're kidding," Julia said, nudging her.
"Are you guys fighting?" Peter asked them before he was startled when they began to giggle. He rolled his eyes and muttered, "Girls," before he was smiling at them. "Or young ladies my mom would tell me to say."
"That's okay," Mari said.
"Yeah… you didn't get much time with your family," Julia said, studying him while she moved to take her turn.
"I couldn't, they had work and school," Peter replied. "Though I will be able to play with Emily when she gets up."
"It's still a while," Julia replied before she was finishing her turn. She turned to them and said, "Who's up for coin dropping?" She laughed when Mari immediately raised her hand and they were hurrying together with Peter to that game.
"Josie," Beckett said, holding onto her hand when the toddler tried to pull away. "We'll get to the pool soon."
"But…" Josie started to say before she stopped moving. "Not now?"
"No," Beckett said gently and with a smile. "Now we're having a snack with everyone else and then going to the pool. Can I let you go and get it?"
"Yeah," Josie replied, nodding her head rapidly. She smiled when her mother did and stayed with her while she was getting the plate of cheese and crackers from the fridge. She took Beckett's outstretched hand once she held it out to her and skipped a little before they were in the game room.
"Here's the snack," Beckett told everyone. "Hopefully it's enough for everyone."
"I think it is," Brad said with a nod. He waited for the kids to get their cheese and crackers before he got some and then said, "What?" since Castle was standing near him.
"I still want to know how you were able to get off of work so early," he said.
"I was able to pull some strings," Brad told him. "Bernier and Hutchinson are dividing the rest of my shift. And I did let it be known to them this wasn't going to happen again."
"It was a special occasion?" Darnley couldn't help asking jokingly.
"Basically," Brad replied firmly before he was smiling. "I mean really, all of us here together and we're going to get to swim with that weather outside?"
"Good weather to swim inside," David said, glancing out the window at the rain.
"And we're moving over there next, right?" Darnley asked.
"We are, don't worry," Castle said, not surprised when the two men left before he was watching his wife walking over to him. "Everything okay?" he asked her.
"Yes, I just got a text from Skye," Beckett said. She smiled when both her husband and the chief were looking at their watches. "They're relaxing before they need to get their girls."
"What'd they say?" Castle asked.
"She asked how Philippa and Mia are," Beckett answered.
"I'm not surprised," Brad said in amusement. "And as far as I know they're fine." He paused and then said, "She seems invested in them."
"She said Mary was teasing her about the question," Beckett said when her text alert sounded. She smiled and then said, "She is but she was wondering now since she knew you guys were coming over to the house."
"Oh, well… just tell her that," Brad replied. "And let her know that I really don't talk with Fox about her relationship."
"Shouldn't she be asking you that?" Castle asked his wife after the chief left them to head over to where his youngest was.
"She knows I haven't seen them for a while," Beckett replied firmly. She put her phone away after sending a last text to her friend and pocketed her phone before telling her husband, "I think we should have them over."
"Now?" Castle asked.
"No," Beckett said with a smile.
"Oh, you tried to," Castle said.
"Yeah, Philippa's off already but she and Mia have a dinner with someone that relates to the museum…" Beckett said before trailing off with a slight frown. "Philippa wasn't sure how but she just knew it was for that."
"Hopefully that won't be a boring dinner," Castle commented. He wasn't surprised when his wife rolled her eyes before he said, "I think everyone's done."
"Do you want to go?" Beckett asked him. She couldn't help laughing briefly at the way he was nodding slowly and she leaned into him to kiss his cheek. When she had pulled away she told him, "Alright, I just hope everyone else will be okay with that."
"I am," Jacob said jokingly since he was walking by them.
"Okay, then anyone who's ready to go we're leaving for the pool room," Castle called to get everyone's attention. He wasn't surprised when there was almost a clamor from the kids and they made their way over to the room through the kitchen.
"Are you guys set on dinner?" Genevieve asked after they had all finished preparing for the pool.
"We are," Beckett said.
"And isn't that more my line?" Lily asked jokingly.
"Are you-" Genevieve started to ask.
"No," Lily interrupted in amusement. "Though I'm not surprised you thought that. I have no idea what we're doing for dinner."
"Something," Beckett said. She couldn't help laughing out loud when the two looked startled and said, "My husband's wording, not mine."
"That makes sense," Rebecca said to the other women before they were laughing together.
"Hey," Castle said coming up to them. "I was still trying to think of something when I said that word. Hence the usage of something."
"Seriously, what are we getting?" David asked.
"I suggested a mix of Chinese and Dim Sum," Castle said. He held up his hand quickly and said, "I know they're cuisine from the same country but it's the easiest way to describe it."
"I'm game for it," Darnley said.
"Great, but we did already put in the order so…" Castle started to say, not surprised when his wife was rolling her eyes.
"We have no choice?" Brad asked.
"Partially, we do know what everyone likes," Castle said.
"Get in the pool Rick," Beckett said, trying not to laugh when her husband was looking at her. She did so then when he was nodding rapidly in response to her words and they walked to the kid's pool where their daughter was with the other younger kids and Jim. "Are you having fun sweetie?" she asked when Josie stood up and hugged her.
"Yeah, are you swimming?" Josie asked, peering up at her mother.
"We will right now," Castle said.
"Can I go too?" Josie asked.
"You can go down the slide but someone needs to catch you," Castle said a little sternly.
"Wait for us to get into the water," Beckett added, not surprised when the toddler was nodding in response. She let her go and then made her wait before walking with her husband to the entry where they went in before going around to the end of the slide for the kid's pool. "Go ahead Josie," she instructed the toddler who was waiting for them.
Castle did his best not to laugh at the eager expression on Josie's face while she was climbing up and then sat down. He caught her once she was in the water, allowing it to close over her head for a moment before he picked her up. "Great job," he told her, gently wiping away the water on her face while she was doing the same.
"Did you have fun?" Beckett asked the toddler, helping with the water.
"Yeah, can I go to the other?" Josie inquired, blinking her eyes to look at her parents with a wide smile on her face.
"No," Castle and Beckett were saying at the same time firmly. They smiled when their youngest was giggling before she kissed their cheeks.
"I was saying jokes," Josie said.
"I hope you were," Castle said before he held her out in front of him to the toddler's squeal of delight. "Or else I would have made you go with your friends again."
"Ooh, can I do that Dada?" Josie asked.
"You don't like us?" Castle responded, a little startled the toddler was frowning.
"I know the jokes Dada," Josie told him sternly.
"I think she's got me there," Castle told his wife.
"Put her back," Beckett said laughingly before she shared a kiss with their youngest and he did the same before placing her back in the kid's pool.
"Okay love," Castle said when he was back with his wife. "If we go on the slide right now are we hypocrites?"
"Come on," Beckett said slightly laughingly since she was aware her husband was joking. She swam for the side of the pool with her husband following before they got out to go up the stairs to the slide.
"Hey Mom, Dad," Julia said with a smile for her parents when they got to the platform at the top.
"Hey, what're you doing?" Castle asked. He wasn't surprised when the teen frowned at him and said teasingly. "You sounded suspicious."
"Oh I knew you meant it like that," Julia said as she then began to smile.
"You…" Castle said, pretending he was going to tickle her. He wasn't surprised when the teen was slipping away easily and going down the slide. "That won't make her start to rebel will it?"
"It won't," Alexis said, reaching the top with her husband. "Though you got more and more suspicious the longer you were working with the NYPD."
"That's probably because of me," Beckett said. "I did tell him a few things from when I was a teenager."
Pursing his lips Castle then smiled and said, "But your mom did help me out when I needed it."
"I'm not surprised," Alexis said, walking past them with Louis.
"Can they spend the night?" Castle asked his daughter as she was looking down at the pool to make sure her way was clear.
"Not tonight," Louis said firmly. "We want them close by."
"Expected," Castle said simply before the two were heading down.