And For The Time of Our Lives

The years had come and passed; everyone was a bit older and maybe even a bit wiser. Castle and Beckett were on their way with their three kids in tow to the house in the Hamptons for the weekend. It was their annual kick off to summer tradition as well as the weekend of their youngest child's fifth birthday.

Beckett and Castle had waited just a year since Kayley and Carsyn's birth to have their third child. By the time that Hailee Johanna Castle came into the world; Beckett was well versed in all facets of motherhood. In the days prior to Hailee's birthday; Castle and Beckett had done a guest appearance on one of the many daytime talk shows.

"Here they are now; mystery writer, Richard Castle alongside his wife and muse for the Nikki Heat series, Detective Kate Beckett…"

Castle and Beckett walked onto the stage waving hello to everyone as they made their way to the couch that was next to the host.

"Welcome, welcome both of you. So you're here to talk about the latest Nikki Heat book and what life is like for the two of you."

"That we are." Castle said.

With that the conversation dovetailed into the latest Nikki Heat book for the first half of their segment before the commercial break.

"When we come back we'll talk to these two about what life is like juggling casework, writing the next Richard Castle novel and family life."

After the commercial break was over the cameras were refocused on Castle and Beckett.

"So how are the kids and everything?" the host asked.

"Things are great."

"How old are all of your kids?"

"Alexis just turned twenty-seven…" Castle said.

The host confirmed that Alexis was Meredith's daughter and not Beckett's before asking how Beckett's relationship was with her step-daughter.

"Kayley and Carsyn just turned six a few months ago." Beckett said.

"They've come a long way since they were born prematurely, haven't they?" the host asked.

Castle felt Beckett's grip tighten on his hand when the host brought up the twins being born premature, that was always a touchy subject for Beckett.

"And our youngest; Hailee is turning five years old this weekend."

The whole interview continued on and then the duo was able to leave after that.

At one point during the drive to the Hamptons; Beckett had looked in the rearview mirror to see Carsyn picking on his little sister and Kayley trying her best to stop him.

"Stop it Carsyn, you can't pick on Hails since it's her birthday." Kayley said.

"Yes I can, its my job as the older brother and it's a part of the birthday celebration."

"I'll tell Lexis when we see her and I'll tell Grams." Kayley threatened.

"Go ahead, tell Grandpa Jim and Grandma Hanna too if you wish."

That was about all the cockiness Beckett could take.

"Carsyn Jamie; leave your sister alone or you'll be grounded for the entire weekend starting with a time out when we get to the house."

With that Carsyn laid off of his little sister. The kids never messed with Beckett since they knew that she meant business. Castle was the one they goofed off with.

Hours later the festivities were underway. The backyard was filled with all their friends from the city and from the Hamptons along with their whole family. Summer was officially underway. Twenty-four hours from now everyone would be back to celebrate Hailee's birthday and of course like every other birthday in the Castle family; Hailee's fifth birthday was going to be one of biggest birthday yet thanks to Martha's notion of Go big or don't go at all.

A/N: This is the last and final chapter of this fanfic. Hope you all enjoyed it. And if you enjoyed this story check out my latest fanfic "LA Romance" which is another Castle fanfic...