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Disclaimer: I collect seashells but they stay in a bag, in the garage.

Chapter 14: Shells

"Hey, Rick, shall we go down to the beach and find some shells?"

"Yeh, let me just get a bag." Once Rick has collected a bag the couple set off down to the beach, over the past few days they had walked along the beach with the intention that next time they went they would add to their collection of shells. The mural of shells from their first walk in the Hamptons was still on the bedroom wall at the loft and they'd decided perhaps a companion piece would be nice as long as it complemented the one they already had.

"What about this one? It has got this cool pattern on it."

"Rick, they've all got a cool pattern. We can't take them all back."

"I know, it is just they're so interesting."

"I understand, babe. I tell you what, why don't we collect the ones we like the most then we can narrow it down further when we are at the villa and we can decide by designing what goes where?"

"I can work with that."

"Good because the bag isn't going to take much more weight."

"The town is just up there we could take a break, get some ice cream and try to find these frames and get a new bag."

"Why don't we get a new bag now, then later we can come back and get some presents? We already sent some postcards but I would like to get some presents too."

"Ice cream now?"

"Whatever, c'mon." She answered and off they set again. They managed to purchase a decorative canvas bag from one of the stores at the end of the high street near the beach but before they started collecting again they went in search of some ice cream. When they came across a street seller they bought two, Kate had one scoop of coconut ice cream and one of strawberry in her cone and Rick had one scoop of chocolate and one of rum and raisin.

"Rum and raisin? I didn't think you would go for that."

"I am a man of mystery."

"Hmm, well as long as you're happy. I thought mine was going to melt before you had chosen yours."

"Maybe that was my plan." Before she could do anything he licked the scoop of coconut. "Hmm, that is nice."

"Oi, hands of my ice cream." She exclaimed which was followed by a whack on his arm.

"My hands were nowhere near it."

"Fine." She stepped in front of him and took a swipe at his Rum and Raisin. "That is nice."

"So it is okay for you to have my ice cream but I can't have yours."

"Well done, you're learning." They continued their walk back to the beach; it wasn't far so when they arrived they found some rocks that were at the back of the beach to sit on.

"I've really enjoyed this. You were right in that we needed to go further than the Hamptons. The only time we've used our phones is to let people know we are here and we are safe. Just like a holiday should be. Thank you."

"I have too, it is much better than I expected. I wish we didn't have to go back so soon."

"We can always come back in the future."

"Oh, we will." She said gleefully with a charming smile.

"We can tell our possible holiday child where they were conceived." This time she threw sand at him, it was a change from a punch or kick. "If you're this violent now then I dread to think what it is going to be like when you're pregnant and hormonal."

"No we won't and if you would just behave we wouldn't have this problem."

"You are talking to me right?"

"Yes."

"We can just build sandcastles."

"I think that we can do more," she stands up so she can whisper in his ear "than just build sandcastles Mister Castle."

"Is that so?" She nods in response. "Well how about we do some of that now."

"Yes, let's finish our ice creams, collect a few more shells and go find some frames and gifts."

"Seriously?"

"Yeh, why? What did you think I was talking about?" She responds in a naughty tone.

"Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean."

"Well then, why don't we go do that and then you can find out what I really, really mean." With that, she takes his hand tugging him up to a standing position so they can start their walk along the beach back to their villa.

After showing him what she really, really meant they drove back up into the town to complete their shopping; they wanted to get that out of the way so they could spend their last few days doing whatever they liked.

"Right, we've got something for your father, mother, Alexis and Lanie. Is that it for presents?"

"We need to get the boys something too."

"Do they know about the promotion yet?"

"No, they didn't know about the Lieutenant either. The only people that know about Captain are you and my Dad."

"So how are you going to tell them?"

"I have a plan." Her looks gives nothing away, only a cheeky smile.

"Can I be included in this?"

She looks back to the shelf of the store they're currently browsing "Wow, Rick, look at these. They're incredible. We can get the pair." She picks both of the frames up and puts them side by side to show him. "I want to get them."

"Far be it from me to stop you. We could get them engraved too."

"Whatever; now something for the boys."

"How about a Captain bear?"

"No, that's more to do with sailing."

"I guess. The bear would end up being Sarah Grace's after she saw it."

"Espo would have loved to go rock climbing up in the mountains."

"We could always get them chocolate."

"Yeh, there's something about European chocolate. Especially Swiss."

"Look there's a police bear!"

"Yeh, for Sarah Grace though. We could always get one of those paperweights for the boys and get it engraved?"

"Yeh that one looks good for Espo."

"Ooh this one for Ryan."

"I'm liking this."

"Me too."

"C'mon lets pay for this because I want some of that coconut out there."

"Mmm, yep it's just waiting to be devoured." That left him slack jawed, sauciness dripping from every word. "C'mon then, let's go."

Paying for their purchases took a while for it all to be wrapped up and that Kate was in deep conversation with the cashier. Rick had no idea what they were saying as he was only translating the occasional word which wasn't helpful so he stood there and smiled.

"Let's put these in the car then get some coconut."

"Good, I think we should go for a walk up there and see if we can go into that church-y thing."

"Church-y thing, Castle? Really?"

"There's a cross."

"Let's get the coconut then I'll educate you."

They ordered the mouth-watering coconut that they'd been eyeing and set off on their walk.

"Hmm this is nice."

"Yeh it is. I wish we could take some home."

They both continue to munch on their coconut. Rick finishes his quite quickly, now eyeing his wife's. Why does she eat slowly, it's like a punishment. Two more bites and he's had enough, grabbing her hand bringing it to his mouth and taking a bite out of it. She should have paid more attention but she didn't so while she slowly chewed her last bite he took advantage. She hadn't pulled it back yet so he took the slice.

"Oi, what do you think you're doing?"

"Eating up the leftovers."

"Eating up the what? I hadn't finished."

"You snooze, you lose." He keeps on walking although she had stopped.

"Right, that's it." She runs up behind him and jumps on his back; arms around his neck, legs wrapped around his waist. As one of his hands drops to get her leg she tries to snatch it back. No luck.

"Castle, give it back."

"Hmm this is nice. I don't know why you didn't finish it."

"Castle!" She's still trying to get it back but every time she nearly does he stretches his arm out. She wants her coconut. Drastic action must be taken. If she can't have her coconut she'll bite his ear until he gives it back. So she bites his ear, hard.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! Ok, ok, ok, the coconut is yours." He passes it to her. Relieved she has regained it, she sets back to work devouring it. Right in his ear, he'll hear her chewing slowly of the thing he really wants. Ok not the thing but the food he wants right now. He can tell she's enjoying this; his hands are now supporting her legs. His fingers turn to drumming against her shins, she's tolerating it but he's not going to push it. "Will you just finish the coconut already?"

"No, I'm enjoying it."

"What part, the eating it or torturing me?

"Trying to decide which one is best."

A few more bites and she is finally, finally finished.

Thought that it was a nice place to finish the chapter.

That's it for the holiday (I think) so back to NY for the next chapter unless people tell me they'd like to see another. Don't mind suggestions either.

Can I have a review please?

There's not many chapters left; three probably. Maybe some fillers, don't know.

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