"Now this is the life..." Rick groaned contentedly, stretching out on the pebble-like sand.
"I know, but enjoy it while we have it...the kids are already fussing about leaving tonight." A.J. snickered, watching their wives playing with the children in the water.
Both brothers were enjoying the last day of their "vacation", now that the attempted murder and extortion charges had been filed. It was a shock to the people of Collinsport that Sheriff Patterson had been behind the rumors about the Collins family. Lawyers for the embattled criminal claimed he had been mentally ill since the death of his father following a nervous breakdown, allegedly caused by numerous run-ins with the Collins, but offered no proof at the preliminary hearing. Anxious that their family history would be rehashed by the defense, Barnabas and the others were relieved that Patterson's lawyers decided not to pursue the claim and had him plead guilty, sparing the Simons a return trip. The scandalous charges had been written about in the local papers, but curiously a more cordial atmosphere greeted Barnabas and David, in particular, when they appeared in town after the court hearing.
"It's a nine-days wonder, of course, Rick, but at least we can walk down the street without too many stares these days." David had told him.
"Well, unless you start dressing like Rick, or walking like him.." A.J. had needled, then Rick chased him down the hall to everyone's laughter.
Laughter. Rick knew the kids had brightened the old mansion with theirs, and Carolyn had successfully pleaded for everyone to stay until the Friday before Easter. Now only promises of a visit before school started in the fall had stopped the tearful pleas of Robin and Melly to "stay with Cousin David and Carolyn".
"Dad?"
Rick saw Ricky and Ceci standing at A.J.'s side.
A.J. looked up and Rick fought to hold in a smile. Obviously Ceci and Ricky had waited until the other kids and Carolyn and David were building rock castles to approach their parents.
"Hi guys, what's up?"
"Dad, is there any chance we could, uh, stay a couple of more days...Uncle Barnabas promised to take us to the shipping office before we left, to show us the original ships and stuff, but with the hearing and everything..." Ricky shifted his feet as Ceci added, "And Cousin David wanted to take us where he went to high school, now we can't go."
A.J. reluctantly told them, "I'm sorry, but our tickets are non-refundable. I wish we could stay a couple of more days, but ..."
Rick suddenly had a flashback to when he and A.J. were kids and didn't want to leave their grandparents and return home. He remembered telling his folks that school wasn't more important then "Grandpa and Grandma".
"A.J...wait a minute..." He interrupted. His brother frowned at him as he said "There's nothing that urgent at home, you said yourself it's too bad we can't stay until Sunday."
"Rick...come on, we'd be paying out a couple thousand more dollars..."
"No you wouldn't, Laurie and I would, if they don't let us switch. Remember when you and I were kids...?" Rick saw A.J.'s face soften, then Ricky said something that changed everything.
"Please Dad, what if something happens to...to Uncle Barnabas or David or Carolyn...we'll never have another chance to be with them."
Neither brother had seen Linda or Laurie approach, but the intake of breath caught both Rick and A.J. and they looked up to see tears in their eyes.
"Oh, Ricky..." Linda said, looking over at her husband. Laurie sniffed, and that decided it.
"You're right, son." A.J. managed, "school isn't more important then our family. If your cousins don't mind..."
"Dad, thank you...you too, Uncle Rick!" Ceci squealed, hugging them both as Ricky grinned happily, "David and Carolyn said it was okay with them if you said so."
Rick chuckled. "Guess we need to call the airline. I'll go up to the house."
"No need, Rick." Barnabas came up to them, a rare smile on his face. "I had a feeling these two would give you a good argument to stay. David called a friend at the airport and he switched your flights to Sunday morning."
"That means we can have an Easter Egg hunt with the family after all." Laurie added, putting an arm around the older man. "Thank you, Barnabas."
"No, thank you...for not only sharing your family with us, but helping to save it." He said quietly to them.
As the two teenagers ran to tell their brother and sister and cousins, Rick looked at his brother.
"Nice going, A.J."
"You're the one who reminded me what's important...then and now." A.J. replied, then laughed as Linda reached for his hand.
"Come on, A.J...you promised to swim with me."
"Your wish is my command." He snickered, getting up and shaking sand on Rick.
"Hey, watch it, little brother. You're not too big to chase."
"You'd have to catch me first." A.J. retorted, then took off running with Linda toward the water.
"Well, my beach boy, what are you waiting for?" Laurie giggled, then let out a squeal of her own as Rick scooped her up and ran with her to the water.
Watching them enjoying themselves, an older couple smiled from the cliff overlooking the beach, then caught the eye of Barnabas.
"Thank you." He told them, starting toward the house. "Thank you Roger, Elizabeth, for watching over them."
He saw them nod, then disappear amongst the trees.
Fin
