It was 8:00 the following morning when Jane knocked on Lisbon's door. He had a key, of course, but he chose to keep that fact hidden from the apartment's renter until it was necessary.
"Who is it?" a child's voice asked on the other side.
"It's Uncle Patrick," he said with a grin, never having the opportunity before to be an uncle.
"'Kay. Hold on."
He heard the door unlock and had to smile at the naivety of children. Then he was receiving a hug from each kid, surprisingly. He juggled the sack in his embrace to pat each kid's head. "Got food."
He had the two settled down with a bowl of Apple Jacks at Lisbon's table when he heard the running water shut off in the other room.
Lisbon came in moments later, shorts and t-shirt, toweling dry her hair. "Why are you two quiet?" she was asking before she saw Jane sitting at her table, happily kicking his bare feet and eating... "Donuts? You brought donuts?"
He grinned and presented her a paper bag with her two favorite kinds.
She made a sound in the back of her throat Jane took for happiness as she sat down to tear into the pastry.
Once the kids were full Lisbon helped Celina with her sunscreen while Jane worked with Jaden. He suspected this was to keep him from memories of the past but Celina had Lisbon's dark hair, not blond curls. He wasn't uncomfortable but he appreciated her thought in the situation.
Their fight about who would drive was settled as soon as the kids saw his classic car. Lisbon couldn't say no to them so Jane drove relatively close to the speed limit to appease her.
"Jane," she said in a low voice while the kids teased each other in the back seat. "I want them to go to a public beach."
He didn't look surprised but did have to ask, "Why?"
"I want them to get the experience of other families having fun as well."
"What of theirs?"
She sighed. "He's moving out this week."
"Ah." It was all he said and all that needed to be said. He knew no matter what kind of fun they had on the trip they would always associate it with the divorce. Those poor children.
It turned out to be a wonderful day at the beach. They got to the area and were able to find a good spot close to the crashing waves. As soon as they various bags were dumped Lisbon had to laugh at the way Jane, Celina, and Jaden shucked their clothing and run out to the water, although it left her to set things up- towel, umbrella, and so on. She was just glad she insisted on sunscreen before leaving the place.
She did take a moment to appreciate Jane's form from a female's perspective. Nice. And she noticed others appreciated him as well. She laughed again. Good luck, ladies. But what a man. Of course, she wasn't jealous...she was his boss, so to speak...nothing else...although she would never admit the flutter in her stomach when she saw him. It was nothing but nervous stomach. Definitely. Maybe.
Lisbon finished putting the touches on the beach setting then settled on her mat, book in hand as she constantly studied the children. And Jane, she supposed. They were playing in the water, splashing in the blue ocean, stopping every once in a while to probably pick up a shell. Soon they came back to her- shells in every hand.
Jane grinned at her. "We're going to make a castle."
Jaden stood in front of her and she put her book away to talk to him. "Aunt Teresa. Help us. Uncle Patrick said we'd make the best."
Lisbon got up and began to mold the shape Jane told her to do. And, of course, the castle was awesome.