Authors notes: thank you all so much for your support with this story. Thank you to the guest reviewers that I'm unable to thank personally. Hope you enjoy the chapter.
The restaurant wasn't anything like the one in Chicago, but, Lisbon hadn't expected it to be. But the food was good and Jane was on top form with the poor wine waiter, who made the mistake of contradicting Jane's wine choice. Jane was itching to get down to the beach and start a sandcastle, so, there was no lingering over a drink afterwards, he promised to make it up to her. To Lisbon, it was just delightful to see Jane's eyes shining like a little kid, that, no promises are needed.
They are now on their way down to the beach and she spies that Jane is suddenly swinging a bucket in his right hand. She has no idea when he picked it up.
"How...Where did you get the bucket?"
Jane looks down at it in surprise, as if, he didn't realise it was there. He inspects it and then looks back up at Lisbon.
"You don't want to know."
Lisbon groaned. Always an ominous statement, and she decides to leave it at that. Jane settles on a place, that apparently, is the perfect spot for sandcastle building, and starts filling his bucket.
"You have to pat it down as you fill it Lisbon to eliminate as many air pockets as possible, and then smooth out the top. This is the tricky bit. You have to turn it over quickly, not allowing the sand to pour out. Now tap the bottom of the bucket and slowly lift. Voila!"
Jane's looking very proud and holds out the bucket towards her.
"Now you have a go."
He flashes her a smile.
Lisbon doesn't move.
"Come on Lisbon, it's easy, little kids do it and you have the perfect teacher."
Lisbon looks at the sand and her clothes, then at Jane. He's already managed to get some sand on his face.
"C'mon Lisbon, you have to get down here."
She's not happy about getting sand on her clothes but knows there's no choice, so she slowly kneels down.
"Well done Lisbon!"
Lisbon smacks him on the arm.
"Ow, violence Lisbon"
"No less then you deserve."
She grabs the bucket off him and starts to fill it with sand.
"Don't forget to pack it down."
She gives him a scowl and then pats down the sand.
"Very good, now you need to turn it over. It needs to be done quickly or the sand moves and the sand will collapse."
"Yes Jane, it's not exactly rocket science."
She turns it over. Jane claps.
"Excellent! Now slowly pull the bucket up."
Jane leans in close, their heads almost touching as Lisbon lifts off the bucket.
"That's it Lisbon, carefully does it."
The bucket comes away clean and a perfect castle's revealed. Lisbon can't help but feel a little proud, despite being acutely aware of the sand that is all over her, even in her mouth. Jane is ecstatic and heaps on loads of praise.
"Great job Lisbon, are you sure you haven't done this before? It's so rare that a person's first sandcastle is perfect."
"Well that could be because I'm a grown up and not four."
Jane cocks his head to one side.
"True, true, or you could have just discovered a new skill, a calling in life. Perhaps, one day, you will surpass the teacher."
"I doubt that Jane."
Lisbon humours Jane by having a couple more goes with the bucket but then sits against the rocks and watches Jane as he creates. His face is a study in concentration except when he catches her eye and smiles. He gave a running commentary on what he's doing, step by step instructions until Lisbon told him to be quiet. She knows she'll probably never make a sandcastle ever again no matter how much fun it looks.
Jane wondered how long it would take her to tell him to shut up. He's impressed it's longer than he's calculated, he was almost sick of hearing himself speak. He's beginning to tire. Sandcastle building turns out to be a rather strenuous activity for his healing body. He adds some finishing flourishes and then takes a bow. Lisbon dutifully applauds. He flops down beside her and leans against the rocks closing his eyes. Lisbon looks at him with concern.
"We need to get you back to your room. you've done too much."
"Meh, it's been a great day though, thank you Lisbon. But if we can just sit here for a while. I need to gather some strength before heading back."
Jane runs his hand through his curls and then when he drops it beside him it lands on top of Lisbon's. He gives it a squeeze.
"You are very good at sandcastles, not as good as me, but very good non the less. Not quite as good as Charlotte, but, almost."
Lisbon catches her breath, Jane has never spoken anything about Charlotte before.
"Her first effort was about two inches high and Angela applauded like mad, she didn't respond though. She wasn't happy with her effort and started scooping the sand back into the bucket. She continued trying time and time again, until it looked like mine."
Lisbon is almost afraid to speak and break the spell. When she looks at him, his eyes are still closed but there's a smile playing on his face.
"She hated failing, and always kept trying until she got it right. It used to drive her mother mad, except when it came to playing the piano. By the time she finished she looked like she was made of sand."
"I know who she gets that from."
Jane opens his eyes and looks over to her.
"I guess it's time we head back before the tide over takes us."
"Sure Jane, let me help you up."
It's a testament to his tiredness that he allows her to do so. He leans heavily on her as they make their way back to the hotel. When they get to his door, he plants a small kiss on her cheek and whispers in her ear.
"I should make sure you get all the sand out of your hair before you go to bed."