Author Note: I am so sorry. A lot of stuff went down this year (since it's my last year of high school) and therefore I had no time to write! So sorry! Hopefully I can get back into the swing of updating my other stories too! This chapter is on the shorter length because I had to find a good place to put a break in. The next one will be longer I promise!

Kate's POV

Between spending time packing and getting groceries for the week or so that we would be gone, the days before we left for the Hamptons passed quickly. Ellie could barely contain her excitement to spend time with Mommy and Daddy since she now feared either of us leaving for long periods of time due to the book tour and my punishment.

"Mommy? Time to go?" Ellie asks grinning ear to ear.

"Almost time baby." I pick Ellie up and carry her around as I pull some last minute things together. I was going through the mental checklist in my head.

"Mommy…?" Ellie looks at me expectantly.

"Yes baby?" I place a kiss in her curls as I grab a couple of toys to place in her bag.

"Why we go?" Ellie asks for the umpteenth time.

"So that Mommy, Daddy, and Ellie can spend time together remember honey?"

"Oh yes!" Ellie puts her left hand palm to her forehead. "I no remember. But I no now." She flashes her most Rick-like smile and her behavior reminds me directly of Rick and his childlike personality. "Mommy, Daddy, and Ellie go to beach?" Ellie asks and I remember last summer when Ellie played in the water for the first time.

"Maybe Ellie, it might not be warm enough. We might have to wait until June comes around."

"When June Mommy?" Ellie asks.

"In 2 months Ellie."

"Is it long time Mommy?" Ellie hasn't grasped the concept of months yet.

"No baby, it's not a long time."

"Good! Me love beach!" Ellie says smiling.

"Well then we better get going so that we can see the beach really soon, right Ellie?" Rick's voice comes from the doorway.

"Yes Daddy!" Ellie's excited voice grew louder quickly at the idea of leaving.

"Do we have everything?" Rick asks me.

"Uh…" I grab Ellie's blanket and hand it to her as she giggles and holds it close. "We do now."

"Then let's get going. I put the rest of the bags by the front door. I can get them as long as you've got Ellie and her bag. Sounds good?"

"Sure," I reply since Ellie's already got her arms wrapped around my neck and her bag isn't heavy at all. We walk out our door to the elevator and for the first time since it happened, it felt like normal family time. Maybe this trip will help us return to normal.

Rick's POV

"Are all the bags in?" Kate asks as she climbs into the front seat.

"Yup and Ellie's buckled in?" Kate nods. "Then are we ready to go?"

"YES!" Ellie calls from her car seat. I pull away from the loft's parking area and we start towards the Hampton's. I reach over and grab Kate's hand. She looks over at me and I plant a kiss on the back of her hand.

"I love you," I say and it brings a smile to her face.

"I love you too Rick. Always." The drive is calm for the most part since Ellie is watching some Disney channel show on my iPad. Her giggles fill the car every so often which brings a smile to my face. Kate turns to look out the window and observe the change of scenery. Change, that's what I'm hoping will come from this trip. I want Kate and I to get past this; we need to get past this.