They were spending a long weekend up in the Hampton's and had decided to take a walk along the beach. Kate's head was resting comfortably against Castles shoulder, his hand tucked into the back pocket of her jeans. The silence between them was easy, both content with just absorbing the sounds of nature around them , each of them lost in their own thoughts.
She was thinking back to the time she and her dad had walked along a different beach on the absolute worst day of their lives. They had gathered bits of twine and sticks as they strolled along which her dad had fashioned it into the tiny stick man that still resides nestled safely in her top desk drawer.
There were happier memories of her and her Mom poking fun at her Dad as he sat between them on the giant ferris wheel. His hand holding the bar so tightly you could see the white of his knuckles.
How he'd threaten to leave them there as soon as they got off this blasted ride if they didn't stop rocking the seat whenever they got stuck at the top.
How competitive they all would be as they raced the go-karts around the track, each one aiming to win the tiny trophy at the end. Laughing as they fought to gain distance on each other, then losing to someone else.
The memories continued to flood her mind, recalling the train ride home, her head nestled against her Mom's shoulder listening to her parents quiet conversation, trying to fight off the tiredness the day had brought.
He was reminiscing about the first time he and Alexis had strolled down this very same beach.
He remembered them walking along, her one tiny hand nestled safely in his much larger one, her other hand carefully holding the few shells they had found .
The time they had built the giant sand castle and Alexis' tears the following day when they returned to find that the tide had washed it away. The promise he made that the next one would be bigger and better.
The first time they had seen the dolphins frollicking off in the distance, her squeal of happiness as they watched the dolphins jumping up out of the water. Her insistence that they were putting on the show just for them.
The sun was beginning to set, so they paused to watch as the sky come alive painted in brilliant shades of red, orange and purple. They stood wrapped in each others arms as Mother Nature put on her show.
Suddenly he let go of her, something off in the distance capturing his attention. He left her standing there, a gentle smile covering her face.
Dropping to his knees he picked up the objects, holding them gently in his large hands. "Kate" he yelled " Come look at these amazing shells".
She caught up to him. squatting down looking at the treasures he had found.
He looked up, his smile so bright and childlike she couldn't help but picture the same smile on a pint size version of him. Blue eyes, tousled hair, sunburned cheeks.
The image was so lifelike she felt a warm rush go through her.
Meeting his eyes, the love she felt in that moment took her breath away. Her hand instinctively moved, coming to rest on her stomach.
They gathered the shells up, sharing the treasures they had found between them.
Taking his hand in her's she laced their fingers together.
He leaned down pressing his lips gently to her brow. Drawing back her eyes finding his, the vision still fresh in her mind.
Turning as one, they began the leisurely stroll back home.
Both of them now having a memory of their very own to share together.