Hearing the rare mix of grievance and exasperation in John's tone, paired with his usual stoic face, Castle couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Hahaha, buddy, do you have any idea how different you are now compared to two years ago?"
John glared at him, though it lacked any real malice, and took a long sip of his beer. "Damn toys, damn bottles. How can such a tiny body hold so much energy?
"Since the day she started crawling on all fours and then graduated to running on her little legs, my life has been nothing short of a nightmare. Do you know how terrifying it is, Rick? Every single day, Gianna and I are on edge, afraid that if we look away for even a second, she'll vanish from our sight.
"How is it possible for one little girl to cause this much chaos?
"And you won't believe this—Gianna wants to build her a miniature castle! A whole castle! Just because some parenting expert said swings and outdoor toys on windy lawns aren't suitable for toddlers."
Castle clinked his bottle against John's with a grin. He knew his friend's complaints were just venting. Anyone who knew John could see how deeply he adored the little girl he was "complaining" about.
It was normal for a man, even one as formidable as John Wick, to throw up his hands and surrender to the tiny whirlwind that was his daughter. But those frustrations needed an outlet, and better to vent to a friend than take it out on the rest of the world, biubiubiu style.
Watching this former underworld boogeyman sigh in exhaustion, Castle couldn't help but feel happy for him. Two years ago, John had been a cold, detached man who carried the weight of his past and the grief of losing Helen. But after Onona was born, John had transformed in ways that were visible to the naked eye.
Castle would never have imagined back when he first crossed over that he'd one day witness the legendary "Baba Yaga" of the criminal underworld, now a proud father, animatedly venting about how his not-even-30-pound daughter was driving him insane.
John wasn't done. "Do you know where Gianna wants to build this so-called castle? She wants to tear down the indoor shooting range and repurpose that space! She's planning to turn it into a giant play area filled with toys and even install that damn castle!"
Castle didn't see any issue with this. In fact, he thought it was a good idea. Ever since Onona's birth, John hadn't set foot in the shooting range. It was mostly used by Ivan and the other Russian bodyguards for training anyway. Gianna clearly wanted John to fully let go of his past, to sever any lingering ties to the life he once led.
But judging by John's conflicted expression, Castle could tell he was still grappling with those emotions. He understood what Gianna was trying to do, but part of him couldn't quite let go yet.
Castle decided to push his friend a little further. He gestured toward the beach and nudged John to look. "Buddy, take a good, hard look at that little girl sitting on the sand, hugging her dog and grinning so wide you can count all her teeth.
"You've got her now. What's the point of holding onto the past?
"Life's about moving forward, John. You're not 'Baba Yaga' anymore. You're her dad. Your job now is to help her grow, to guide her as she discovers the world, and to be there for her every step of the way."
John followed Castle's gaze, his eyes softening as they landed on Onona. The ghost of a smile appeared on his face as he watched her play, and his earlier frustration melted away, replaced by something gentler.
Castle noticed this and pressed on. "Let's be real, John. Do you really miss the blood-soaked days of your past? Compare that to now—when this little whirlwind tires you out to the point of collapse. Deep down, you already know which life you'd choose, don't you?"
John's expression shifted, his eyes growing resolute. He raised his beer and clinked bottles with Castle once more. "Thanks, Rick. I get it now."
Seeing his friend finally come to terms with his feelings, Castle couldn't resist teasing him again. "But you've got to admit, this little girl is a handful. Look at that poor dog she's got in a death grip. What do you think, John—scariest opponent you've ever faced?"
John sighed, his earlier resolve momentarily deflating like a balloon. "Rick, you've got to tell me: were you really able to raise Alexis on your own? Because Gianna and I take turns with Onona, and we're still barely surviving.
"This kid is relentless. The moment she wakes up, she's off. It's non-stop chaos until bedtime. I honestly have no idea where she gets all this energy from.
"And what is it with her obsession with those dogs?"
Castle smirked at his friend's cluelessness. "Buddy, Alexis wasn't nearly as hyper as your little one. But let me enlighten you: toddlers are naturally curious. They're in full exploration mode, trying to understand everything and everyone around them.
"And as for the dogs, isn't it obvious? They're furry, John. Little girls love fluffy things.
"Would you rather she be like you, running around with a pistol all day?
"Her energy and curiosity are signs that she's healthy and happy. And honestly, the fact that she's turned your fearsome Caucasian Shepherds into oversized teddy bears is kind of amazing. You've got to admit, she's going to grow up to be a force of nature."
John shook his head with a wry smile. "She's too healthy, Rick. That's the problem."
While the two men bonded over their shared woes of parenting, the women on the beach were having their own conversation. Alexis and Ramsey were entertaining Onona as she gleefully wrestled with one of the massive dogs, while Gianna and Beckett chatted nearby.
"So," Gianna began with a teasing grin, "when are you and Rick going to have a kid? From the way you've been looking at my little girl, I half expect you to steal her away."
Beckett didn't shy away from the question. She had been seriously considering the idea recently, and Gianna's prodding only made her smile. "Rick and I agreed to just let things happen naturally. We stopped using any precautions a while ago, so if it happens, it happens."
Gianna raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You? The workaholic, career-driven Beckett? What changed? Don't tell me I actually managed to convince you."
Beckett chuckled, recognizing the gleam of mischief in her friend's eyes. "No, you don't get all the credit. Rick and I are in a good place now, and it just feels like the right time. He might act like an overgrown kid sometimes, but I can see how much he loves me.
"And if a baby does come along, well, that wouldn't be a bad thing, would it?"
Gianna laughed, delighted by Beckett's candidness. But the mischievous glint in her eyes returned. "Still, you shouldn't let him get away with not proposing first. Come on, Beckett, don't let him off the hook so easily!"
Beckett smirked and fired back without missing a beat. "Oh, really? And remind me, Gianna, did John propose to you before or after you had that little troublemaker sitting over there?"
Gianna burst into laughter, conceding defeat.
Meanwhile, Onona, blissfully unaware of the conversations about her, was living her best life. Surrounded by doting adults, a giant fluffy dog in her arms, and fresh fruit within reach, she was the very picture of contentment.
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