A CHOICE
Chapter 2
Kate and her dad had a lot to do before they could leave. They had to sell the house, the car, the furniture, practically everything they owned. Some things they couldn't bring themselves to sell, though. Most of those dealt with Johanna Beckett. They only had a week to make changes in their lives. A week to destroy their old lives so they could be reborn in a new one.
Kate had met with Rick and Alexis at his place. His looked a lot like theirs. It was devoid of furniture because he had sold everything. They were actually sleeping on the floor in sleeping bags. Surprisingly, Alexis didn't seem to mind it. She liked it because to her, they were camping out. She was also glued to Kate.
Kate knocked at the door and was startled that Alexis was the one who answered it. She smiled at her. "Hi, Alexis." Alexis greeted her by hugging her as tight as she could.
Kate felt something for this little girl, something she couldn't quite place. Then he showed up. "Mr. Castle."
"I've asked you to call me Rick or Castle. Leave off the Mister. Don't make me feel old prematurely," Rick told her.
Kate decided on his last name. "All right. Castle, it is."
"I came to ask something of you," Kate said. "I'm staying, Alexis. You can let go of me." Happy, Alexis released her hold on Kate.
"What can I help you with?" Rick was curious.
"Thanks to you, we have a shipper willing to ship what we're keeping. I need to ask if you have a shipper for my motorcycle? It means a lot to me. I know I might not get to ride it, given where we'll be living, but I don't want to give it up." Kate waited to hear what he would say.
"You're right about not being able to ride it," Rick told her. "The island where you'll be isn't made for a motorcycle. There are only paths, no roads per se. At most, there will be golf carts. But, I think I can find a way to get your motorcycle there."
Kate's face lit up, and she relaxed a little. "Thank you. You've told me a little about this place. Are there any pictures?" She would like to see it.
"Pictures, no. It isn't even open yet. It's under construction and still will be when we get there. I do have some artists renderings, though. Let me see if I can find them." Rick headed for the first place he thought of to look.
"Are you excited about this?" Kate asked Alexis, who nodded. "You can tell me. I'm going with you. I know you can whisper it in my ear. Only I will hear you." Kate leaned down with her ear by Alexis' mouth. But Alexis refused to talk. "That's okay, honey. We'll work on it together, just you and me." Kate watched as the little girl grinned.
"Found it." Rick was back with a packet of drawings. "Let's see what we have here." Rick sat on the floor since that was about all they had. Kate sat down with Alexis next to her. She was practically in her lap, something Rick didn't fail to notice. "This is one of the Beach Villas." Rick handed her a drawing. She saw a villa with a pool out front of it between it and the beach.
Kate couldn't believe it. "Do all of them have pools?"
"Yes, each Beach Villa has its own pool. It also has its own solar panels that will provide electricity and hot water. The water comes from a central source, a desalination plant located in the main building," Rick explained.
"This is the main building. We're calling it Glow. It will hold all the equipment, a restaurant, and storage for everything. And it has a pool as well.
"Outside dining will be called Shimmers. This is one of the Island Villas." He handed her that drawing. She saw a drawing of a boardwalk with buildings on either side.
She glanced over at him. "These have a pool?" Kate was amazed.
"Of course. We don't want our guests to think they're being slighted just because they didn't get a Beach Villa." Rick proceeded to describe what they had planned. "Each of these buildings will have its own solar panels as well. The only common facilities will be water and wastewater. Those are hidden away under the boardwalk."
Kate was astonished at what she saw. "This one shows the outdoor movie theater." He handed that one to her. She couldn't tell where on the island it was, but it looked large, like a drive-in theater.
Rick handed her another drawing. "This is of the ice cream shop. We're calling it the Gelateria."
"Now, this one will get you. It's only in the main pool. We're going to offer a floating breakfast." Rick gave her a drawing that showed a woman lounging in the pool with a large floating table filled with things to eat.
"This is of the spa. It will have a place where you can get a massage. There will be exercise equipment, a place for yoga." Kate looked at him. "You like that idea."
"I like yoga," Kate admitted. "Do you like yoga?" Alexis shook her head. "I'll teach you. You'll love it, trust me."
"Of course, there will be water sports of all kinds. Jet skis, even a small submarine. A tennis court, a private yacht charter. Right now, we only have the one boat, so it's somewhat limited.
"Oh, a billiard hut." He gave her a drawing. "Babysitting services so guests can leave their children if they want to get away. Beach volleyball, snorkeling, and scuba diving. A kids club which will be part water park." Rick handed her another drawing.
"There will be a boutique where you can buy things. Something to remember the experience," he added.
"You did all this?" Kate was blown away by what he was showing her.
"I can't take all the credit. I have partner, and he's responsible for a lot of this. You'll meet him. His name is Kuznetsov."
"That sounds like it's Russian. I speak Russian. I learned it during a semester in Kyiv," Kate told him.
"Aren't you just full of surprises." Rick looked at her with new eyes. Kate grinned at him.
"If you want to learn Russian, I'll teach you." Kate looked at Alexis who nodded eagerly. "It's settled then. Part of what I teach you will be Russian." Kate hugged the little girl.
"How do you get workers?" So far, it was an island that didn't have a village from which workers would come.
"They'll come from a neighboring island. We'll have a boat service to take them back and forth. Well, more than one, actually. Guests will arrive either by boat or seaplane.
"The same boat that will be bringing all our supplies. Food, toiletries, sheets, you name it." Rick knew it was a lot.
"We're hiring a manager who will handle the day-to-day. He'll answer to either myself or Kuznetsov," Rick explained. "Kuznetsov is married with a daughter. She's a lot younger than Alexis and isn't even in school yet."
"It looks like you have thought of everything." Kate was very impressed.
"In the future, there will be another twenty or so villas out on the water. It will be located on the opposite side. Then we'll be full. But that's in the distant future," Rick added.
"Where does my dad stay?" Kate inquired.
"I don't have a drawing of those, but there will be a cabana on the opposite side of Glow. It's a bedroom with a bathroom, a lot like a hotel room. He'll have all his meals in the Restaurant. It's nice, but it's small. Actually, except for our two two-bedroom villas, everyone will be eating at the Restaurant. Our two buildings will be the only ones with kitchens."
"I guess that will be okay." At least, Kate hoped it would be.
Rick handed her the final drawing. "Here's the map of the place showing where everything is."
"So we're here?" Kate pointed at a Beach Villa.
"That's the spot. We're in number 27, while Kuznetsov and his family are in number 26," Rick confirmed. "Your dad's cabana is way over here, the A thru F ones. We can work out just which one after you get there."
"What's this out here?" Kate queried. "It looks to be on the water."
"That's the spa. The main building is here, while the treatment rooms are out on the water."
"Wow!" Kate wasn't expecting that.
Kate spotted a building just beyond where her dad would be staying. "And this little building here?"
"The Kids Club."
"It really is full." Kate was amazed.
"Glow will also house the staff. We haven't forgotten them," Rick added.
"This is impressive. You're sure you can afford it?" Kate asked.
"That's why I have a partner. Together, we can afford it. From the man who will fly the float plane, the staff, and the chef in the Restaurant, to the boats including the charter. It's a lot, I won't lie, but we believe we can handle it. We need to be a success, or we'll be in trouble," Rick admitted. "We give it a couple of years."
Kate nodded. "So long as you don't price yourself out of everyone, it should be good."
"Thank you." Rick meant it too.
"Well, I've taken up enough of your time." Kate was ready to leave.
"No, please stay," Rick asked her. "You can work with Alexis. I have work I can do."
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt." She might as well get used to her new job.
"Excellent. I'll leave Alexis in your capable hands." Rick got up and took the drawings with him.
"So what should we do?" Kate asked Alexis, hoping she had an idea. It turned out she did. She came back with a book. "Read to you? I can do that. Scoot in nice and close." Kate waited till she was practically in her lap and then she began reading the story.
~oo0oo~
It was a week later. Kate and her dad had stayed in a hotel for two entire days. They had sold everything, even the house, which was a surprise.
They met at the airport. It was Rick's first chance to meet him. "Mr. Beckett."
"Please, call me Jim. It's a pleasure to meet you. My wife was a real fan of yours."
Rick looked at Kate, who ignored them both in favor of paying attention to Alexis. "So I was told."
"Are you excited, Alexis? This is going to be a long trip." Kate got her to smile and the little redhead nodded enthusiastically.
"I have a carry-on filled with lots of things to keep her busy," Rick revealed.
"Come on and let's get started." Kate took Alexis by hand and led the way.
Jim watched these two and smiled. He hung back with Rick. "This should prove to be interesting. I'm not sure just how I can help."
"I'm not sure myself. But, I'm betting you'll be busy. Honestly, I'm glad you're here. We could use a company lawyer," Rick told him.
"What do you call the place?" Jim didn't think Kate had told him.
"Jumeirah," Rick replied. "The word Jumeirah is associated with prestige and high-end living. Something we're trying to represent."
"Katie tells me it looks amazing. I look forward to actually seeing it." Jim could hardly wait.
Their flight was 27 hours and 30 minutes long. They had two stops. The first was Boston, of all places. The second was Dubai. They were flying to Malé, Maldives. They departed at 7:15 pm and arrived at 7:40 am.
They flew first class, thanks to Rick making all the arrangements. Kate asked him what it cost him, but he just blew her off. She found herself sitting with Alexis, while Rick and her dad were across from them.
Kate found out the hard way what it was like to fly with an 8-year-old who wouldn't sit still. Thankfully, Rick had been prepared. He had coloring books, books to read, one of her dolls, and even a couple games. There were even a lot of snacks for her. Kate wanted to sleep, and she could, but only when Alexis finally did. She even got up when either she had to use the lavatory or when Alexis did.
Kate took her to the restroom in Boston and again in Dubai. She was learning firsthand what her job would be, plus she was going to be Alexis' teacher.
~oo0oo~
They just had to have a hotel room in Malé. It took them over a day to fly here. Alexis was getting cranky even though she managed to sleep on the plane.
Samann Grand would do the trick for them. Thankfully, they had space. They needed two rooms, one for Kate and Alexis, and one for Rick and Jim.
Jim was sitting back against the headboard, watching TV. "You look uncomfortable."
"Me, no. Okay, yes. I've spent eight years with just me and Alexis. It's not easy to hand over my daughter to someone else," Rick admitted and tried to sit back like Jim was.
Jim chuckled at his expense. "She's fine. If Katie can't handle it, she'll be over here so fast it'll make your head spin. I'm more worried for Alexis. When Katie decides to do something, she doesn't let anything stop her.
Jim told him a story about little Katie Beckett. "When she was a little girl, she was deathly afraid of the dark, but she refused a night light. She wasn't going to let what was in the dark beat her. Nor what was under the bed."
Rick laughed. "Alexis didn't have that problem. She didn't want pink. She wanted her room to be a grown-up room. But she had to have her stuffed animals." Rick suddenly sat up straight. "Damn it! I need to get Monkey Bunky for her. She won't sleep without it." He hustled out of bed, dug through his bag until he found it, and left the room.
He had another problem. He had to knock to get back in since his room card was on the nightstand. "That was close. We almost had a catastrophe on our hands. Well, Kate's hands." Rick chuckled just a little.
~oo0oo~
When they reached Malé they had to find a way to a marina. And from there, it was by boat to the island. But first, they had to eat. They were fed on the plane, and the layover in Dubai afforded them an opportunity to eat something.
The boat ride was where Alexis finally shone. She seemed to love riding on the water.
~oo0oo~
Kate and Jim were already saying WOW before the boat even made it to the dock in front of Glow.
They accepted help getting off the boat while openly gawking at what they saw. It took them a moment to get their suitcases. Then came the challenge: How to get themselves where they needed to go with two suitcases each, along with all the stuff for Alexis.
Alexis had to pull her own little suitcase. But that still left Rick feeling overloaded yet again. They had this problem getting to the hotel, and again, getting from there to the dock.
The foreman was alerted to his coming and greeted him at the dock. "Mr. Castle, welcome to Jumeirah."
"Allow me to unload my bags, and I'll be right with you. Is Kuznetsov here yet?" Rick queried.
"Not yet, though I expect him sometime today. I'll be waiting in Glow for you," he informed Rick.
"Thank you." Rick walked the long walk to their new home. "Oh, can you escort Mr. Beckett to Cabana E, please? That will be where he's staying."
"Of course. If you will please follow me?" He waited for Jim to join him.
"As you can see, all of the Beach Villas are complete. The Water Villas should be the same. Most likely, Glow still needs some work along with the Kids Club. But everything else should be ready," Rick told Kate.
"The drawings didn't do this place justice. This is very nice, Castle." Kate was mightily impressed.
It was a long way to Beach Villa number 27, which was at the end of a long line of Villas. "This is it. You're free to unpack. I'm needed elsewhere, so if you'll excuse me. You be a good girl, Alexis, and do what Kate tells you. I don't know when I'll be back. Oh, and check the kitchen and see if there's any food," Rick instructed. "If not, we'll have to eat at the Restaurant."
"I'm sure we'll be fine, won't we, sweetie?" Kate said to Alexis. The two of them watched as Rick unloaded his bags in his room and took off. "Come on, let's see where we'll be staying." Kate headed the opposite way to the second bedroom.
She liked the room the moment she saw it. There were two queen-size beds, two dressers, a single nightstand between the beds, a chest of drawers, and a reasonably-sized closet. There was even a sitting area.
The décor wasn't all that tropical, but there were hints of it. The odd thing was that this place was a reverse layout. The bedrooms were on the ground floor, while the kitchen, living, and dining rooms were on the second floor. So down here, there wasn't much to see.
"This room is huge," Kate declared. It made her wonder what size Rick's was. "Okay, let's get you unpacked, and then we can explore. What do you think of that idea?" Kate watched Alexis smile wide and nod enthusiastically.
Kate helped her unpack and then watched as Alexis helped her. "Let's see what there is." Kate held out her hand to Alexis and they went upstairs.
"WOW!" Kate let go of Alexis and wandered around a little. She headed for the open doors that led out onto the deck. It was there that she saw four chairs up against the glass railing. There were another pair of chairs with a coffee table.
"Look at that view!" Kate sighed as she stood at the glass looking out. There were palm trees, and an area that had some kind of plant bordering it. "This is nice."
Kate felt Alexis yank on her pants. "What do you need?" Kate asked. "You can tell me, it's just us." Kate tried to coax her into talking, but to no avail. "Do you need a bathroom?" Alexis nodded and looked just a little frantic. "Then let's see if we can find one on this level."
~oo0oo~
Once Alexis was done, Kate moved into the kitchen and looked it over. "It's small, but it's all here. Sink, dishwasher, microwave, range with oven, toaster, coffeemaker, can opener." She began opening drawers and cabinets. "Plates, glasses, pots and pans, and a pantry. We're in business," Kate said happily. "Let's see what's in the refrigerator." Kate opened it. "Empty. It looks like we'll be eating in the Restaurant."
"But this is nice." She looked at everything in the kitchen and was satisfied with it.
"Come on, let's look around. What do you say?" Kate asked Alexis who nodded again. She held out her hand for Alexis to hold and downstairs they went.