Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC and the others who do own them.

A/N #1: Great getting the feedback for the last chapter so I'll get started on my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I was really pleased to read you still like how I'm writing other characters. Also nice to see you think it's very good writing) and

Mb (I was really glad to see that you thought this was a wonderfully written update. And I was pleased to read you loved seeing Martha and Jim taking care of Josie and Sophie while the others were at Alcatraz. I'm not surprised you caught the toddlers are forming a bond since I did want to hint that it was happening already, lol. But I was glad how I had Martha and Jim taking care of them so they wouldn't really have separation anxiety since of course as you said that's not fun. And since the circumstances were different, I wanted the visit to Alcatraz to be better this time, lol, not surprised you were glad about that. And I wasn't surprised either that you thought it was nice that Paul and his family are continuing to the next stop and there'll be more to add to the group. Great you thought it was nicely done! And you're welcome for sharing! It was great to see you thought the second half was nicely done again. I'm glad that you got what I put about transportation being different city to city, since I've gone through that in travels, lol, so great you got why they'd gotten excited about the BART. It was nice to see you enjoyed them relaxing, eating and going to Chinatown and the mall. And yeah, I don't know if England has as big as the San Francisco Centre was. I was glad you loved how the kids and grandparents were helping the couples have their date nights, lol, I wanted there to be that for the city. And I wasn't surprised that you thought Castle and Beckett would have nightmares after Alcatraz, I thought even with nothing happening it would still come up after what they went through there. Really pleased you saw what they did after they work up as a way to, as you said, affirm they are good and alive with being together fully and engulfed in each other's arms. You're welcome for the second half of the chapter!).

Thanks for the reviews, loved reading them and appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!

A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song I Love You, California written by Francis Beatty Silverwood.

Just Can't Help Loving You

"I can see why you wanted to keep this a secret," Reiley said to Julia and Mari.

"Good thing otherwise we would have looked foolish," the teen said. A little startled when the girl turned to her with a smile she said, "What I said?"

"Yes, but I have to remember you're a writer," Reiley answered before they were being called to by each of their mothers.

"Just wait for what you're going to see going up the ramps," Mari told her while they were walking after the rest of their group.

"I think I can see… that was a bird! Grandude!" Reiley started to say before she cried out at the end and hurried away from the two.

"You're not tired of coming here?" Mari asked when they walked a little up the ramp in the rainforest dome at the California Academy of Sciences. They were stopping when the rest of their family and friends did too, a little down from them, and she looked at her friend questioningly for her answer.

"No, I don't think I really could get tired of this," Julia said, looking around. She then looked back at Mari and said, "It'd be like getting tired of the beach."

Nodding in agreement, Mari said, "I agree."

"You just wanted me to say?" Julia asked, playfully nudging her when they had started to walk again.

"Yeah," Mari said, unable to help giggling when her friend clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. "Sorry, I like the way you talk about things like that."

Julia was about to tease her friend for that when Mari was suddenly rushing away to her surprise, and she was about to speak when she realized her mother was waiting for her to catch up to her. She was about to speak when Beckett was first while she wrapped her arm around her shoulders, and they continued up to the top of the dome.

"I think you were distracted by your pictures, her mother was waving to her," Beckett said.

"Oh, I was going to ask her if she meant… never mind," Julia said, shaking her head. She then smiled and looked at her mother saying, "She asked if I was getting bored of this place."

"Luckily she knew the answer already," Beckett replied.

"Yeah, she just wanted to hear how I would say it," Julia answered. She then realized something and said, "Where's Josa?"

Smiling Beckett said, "With your dad, she keeps mentioning butterflies."

"Think she remembers the top?" Julia asked.

"I don't think so, she's seen them," Beckett replied. "Do you know where we're going to next?"

Frowning a little Julia said to her mother, "Why am I deciding?"

"The kids want you to, and really your dad would like a break," Beckett explained.

"You too," Julia said with a smile.

"Of course," Beckett said.

"And me," Skye said firmly. "Bit tired of leading so often." She looked ahead of them when Castle scoffed loudly, she gave him a look before she smirked while she walked by where he stopped and said, "Don't póg your wife for too long," not surprised when he was immediately responding.

"Not planning on it," Castle said, shaking his head before he turned to his wife and their second oldest.

"Have fun!" Julia called as she walked swiftly past her parents.

"I'm not…" Castle started to say in mock annoyance before he trailed off when he saw she had met up with Jacob and the two were continuing further into their group.

Shaking her head Beckett got her husband's attention by taking his hand and told him, "I'm glad you're not but you're just egging them on."

"Maybe I'm trying to make you laugh," Castle immediately replied. When his wife gave him a look he said, "I'll have to work on that," before he was smiling when she began laughing. He squeezed her hand before he watched her taking a few shots and he asked, "Should I be holding you like this?"

"It's fine," Beckett replied, though she was shortly after rolling her eyes when her husband was letting her hand go. She didn't reach back to take him after she took another picture since Josie was walking to them.

"Are you bored now?" Castle asked the toddler teasingly while he was picking her up.

"No Dada," Josie said. "Want a fly."

"Well, you can see them," Castle told her seriously. "But you can't take it with you."

"Yes," Josie said firmly before she was smiling when her father was laughing and then speaking to her mother.

"I know I shouldn't be laughing when she talks like that…" Castle started to say.

"I don't blame you," Beckett said in amusement while they were continuing up the ramp.

"You're not going to be able to do anything while we're in LA will you?" Julia was asking Paul at that moment when they were looking at some small exhibits.

"I don't know," the singer said seriously. "I would like to, Skye mentioned Disneyland." He was surprised at the hesitation on the teen's face and asked, "What's wrong?"

After taking a quick picture of a gecko, Julia turned to him and said, "It's going to be hot by the time we go, really hot."

"And we were explained what they do," Paul said. "But like I said I'm not entirely sure what we're going to do when we're there. We'll try and do something with you."

"You don't have to," Julia said immediately. She was laughing suddenly when Paul was laughing himself and grabbing her, pulling her to him for a quick hug.
"You're very caring," Nancy said before her husband could say anything. "And I appreciate that."

Blushing Julia said, "I have to be."

"Oi, who made you my nurse?" Paul said jokingly, not surprised when she hugged him tightly. He shared the embrace and then grabbed her by her shoulders saying, "Your parents told me it was only Stitch and I you were okay with when you were younger," not surprised when she nibbled a little at her lower lip before she began to speak while Mari hugged her suddenly.

"Well, I'm not afraid of boys and men now," Julia said, feeling her cheeks blushing harder.

"Oh, so there's someone then?" Paul asked.

Laughing, since she knew the singer was joking, Julia said, "Not yet, I'm sure if I ever do start dating my parents will tell you."

"Probably," Paul said, watching her go with Mari to the other older kids. He turned to the teen's parents and said, "Well?"

"Nothing new," Beckett said with a smile since she'd heard the conversation her daughter had had with the singer.

"She's right, just her crush," Castle added. "Whoever that is."

"Hmm," Paul said, turning to the kids.

After the singer and his wife had walked away, Beckett looked at Josie who was walking over to them and she asked, "Are you alright sweetie?"

"Eh, want fishies Mama," Josie replied while she reached up for her.

"Come here," Castle said, grabbing her instead. He kissed her cheek before they were leaving that section with everyone else and said, "You know you can't have all the animals here."

"She could be missing our pets," Beckett told her husband. She wasn't surprised when he nodded in agreement before they were stopping at the next level. She took some pictures of the animals featured there, but soon turned her attention to her husband and their youngest. After getting a few pictures of the pair of them, she turned to the others in the group and took more, managing to get everyone as she had done at a few places so far on their vacation. When they finished and were going up to the top level she smiled when she heard Bailey and Reiley gasping at all the butterflies there, not surprised when Julia was talking to them both with a smile.

"They might land on you if you're lucky," the teen was saying.

"We couldn't hold out our hands?" Reiley asked.

"Some people are," Bobby told his sister.

Nodding, Reiley moved to do so, and Julia shared a smile with him before he went after her. She was turning to Mari and was startled to find her friend had left her as well before she saw she was with her family. It was at that moment she heard her father calling to her and she raced to him and said, "I didn't forget."

Laughing for a moment, Castle hugged her when she literally threw herself at him and he said, "I believe you."

Nodding Julia said as they let go of each other, "What did you want to do?"

"Nothing really," Castle said honestly. He then said with a smile, "You're not going to try and get any to land on you?"

"I was going to take pictures," Julia said.

"Your mom is over… there," Castle started to say before he trailed off when he turned and saw that Julia was going to Mari who was walking toward them.

"You're all alone," Beckett said, placing her hand on her husband's back after she'd stepped up to him.

"Luckily not anymore," Castle replied as he turned to her. "Josie?"

"With our parents," Beckett said simply. "Not that," she told him hurriedly when she could see the desire in his eyes. "Maybe later. I want you to tell me what you did to our plans for tonight." She wasn't surprised when he frowned before he opened his mouth to speak and she told him, "I know you think you're predictable, but you had a tell for this one," smiling when he was laughing and replying shortly after.

"I'm not surprised," Castle said. "And I decided we should do something else for dinner. I asked the girls about it, and they said we could do my plans instead of going to the Buckeye."

"Oh?" Beckett asked with her eyebrow raised.

"Yes, I'm making you dinner," Castle replied. He was relieved seeing his wife's smile and said, "Do you approve?"

"I do," Beckett said, reaching for his hand and squeezing it gently. She wasn't surprised when he was entwining their fingers and she said, "Though you'll let me help you." When her husband started to open his mouth, she reached up and pressed her fingertip to his lips and said, "You will."

"Of course," Castle said slowly, nodding his head. He reached up and held her hand in place so he could kiss the tip of her finger and then said, "But do you mind if we eat inside?"

"No," Beckett replied. She studied him for a moment and then said, "There's more."

"Play outside?" Castle asked.

Laughing softly, Beckett said, "Agreed, but we have a lot to go you realize."

"One thing before we leave here," Castle said quickly. "They made me promise to take you out somewhere once we went back home."

"Not at Adare?" Beckett inquired.

Taking a moment to gaze at her expression, her slightly raised eyebrow affecting him a little, Castle then said, "No, they said that counted as going out," smiling at her laughing reaction while she spoke.

"I'm not surprised, but I'll hold you to that promise Rick," Beckett told him. She watched him take her hand, bending over it before he kissed the back of it, and they moved to see how their family was doing though they were aware they would need to continue to the aquarium soon.

"Dada! Those fishies?" Josie was saying eagerly.

"They are," Castle said, laughing when she began kicking her legs. "Should I put you down?" he asked her in amusement.

"I think so," Martha told her son. "The girls are heading to the glass already."

Nodding, since Josie was still wriggling in his hold, Castle set her down before he watched the toddler hurry to Julia who turned to her with a smile and helped her down the steps so they could stand in front of the large aquarium. "I was going to join them," he said in surprise when his mother was walking past him.

"She saw me," Beckett said in amusement, stepping up to her husband.

"Your dad?" Castle asked before he realized Jim was walking past them. "They realize we're not going out until later, right?"

"We're not going out at all," Beckett teased him.

Making a brief face at her, Castle then said, "But we're supposed to spend this time with them."

"Our kids are doing the same thing," Skye commented, she and Mary approaching with the other parents.

"Sorry about that," Beckett said to May and Luke.

"Don't worry, we promised we'd let them head to the pool once we were back home," the former said before the mayor was speaking out of obvious guilt.

"We're sorry your kids forced you to take everyone for the night," David said.

Shaking his head Luke said, "We were expecting it to be honest, and the Willises aren't going to be there."

Glancing at the family, both Stella and Alasdhair and the McCartneys with the kids, Castle said, "Can we make it up to you?"

"Like we said, just let us join you tomorrow," May said, startled when the others were sharing looks.

"Tomorrow was supposed to be a free day," Mary explained.

"I got an idea," Skye said suddenly. She laughed when she looked at Castle and said, "I get the feeling you did too."

"Spend the day in Mill Valley?" Castle asked.

"Actually, you can stay at ours, we have the beach and pool," Luke said.

"And your kids will already be there," May said with a smile.

"Alright, you guys don't want to come over to the house tonight?" Luke asked the others.

"We're good," Castle said immediately.

Laughing Luke said, "Fair enough."

"Just to warn you," Darley said. "Our parents might push you two to have a night out yourselves," before they were turning to Martha and Bethany, the former speaking to them.

"Actually, we've discussed it and we think you two should," Castle's mother said.

"You do not need to argue," Bethany said with a smile. "We will insist."

"I think you are," Luke commented in amusement. He looked at his wife and said, "We haven't had a night in a while."

"No, the kids are definitely not going to be alone," May added. She then smiled at the two women in front of them and said, "Alright, we'll go since you seem to be really sure about us going too."

"We are," Martha and Bethany said at the same time before they shared a smile at the laughter of the others.

Watching them going to the kids again, Beckett looked at her friend and said, "Where will you go?"

"Since we were talking about North Beach yesterday…" May said though she was speaking to her husband before she trailed off.

"Right, we'll head to Scoma's," Luke replied swiftly before he was walking away from them and getting his phone out of his pocket.

"We went there for our first date after we were engaged," May told the others. "So it's special." She then looked at the others and asked, "What're you guys going to do?"

"We're heading to Bangkok Alley in Castro," Darnley said.

"You two weren't?" Nkosi asked Skye and Mary.

"No, we're going to Bungalow 44," the latter said before her wife was speaking after her.

"She wanted somewhere close to the house," Skye said. "And we did enjoy going there."

"We're going to Fog City Diner," Brad said swiftly before he glanced at his wife.

"I didn't want anything super fancy," Lily explained. "And the food is good."

"We got reservations to Al-Masri, an Egyptian place north of here," Rebecca said.

"I suggested it to them, when they asked me about any different cuisines here," May said with a smile.

"So, we're all set?" Castle asked.

"For now," Beckett told her husband pointedly. She smiled when he was taking her hand and kissing the back of it before they were heading after the others to rejoin their kids and continue through the aquarium.

"Don't make me laugh," Darnley told his husband. "I'm going to snort tea out of my nose. It wouldn't be attractive."

"Not really," Nkosi replied. He squeezed his husband's arm and then said, "But it's sweet you realize."

"That I preferred my place while we were dating?" Darnley asked, frowning.

"It is where we were first together," Nkosi reminded him.

"That's true," Darnley replied after thinking that over. He then smiled and said, "Well, it doesn't matter now, we have a great house."

"Wait, why did we start talking about this?" Nkosi asked his husband.

"You were mentioning the house now, the backyard," Darnley reminded him, raising his eyebrow.

"I think we're going to need to compromise about that," Nkosi said, smiling at his husband.

Nodding briefly Darnley then said, "So I want to enclose the patio and you want a game room instead of the theater room."

"Enclosing it in glass would be really nice in the winter," Nkosi said. "We could get some heaters too remember."

"I remember," Darnley said, unable to help smiling at his husband's rising eagerness in his tone. "And fine, since we haven't started on the theater room then let's go ahead and finish the house."

Laughing, Nkosi pointed out to his husband, "We'll never really finish but you mean the additions."

"For now," Darnley said slowly. He smiled when his husband was laughing and took his brief kiss before he said, "Remember when we first moved in together?"

"I do," Nkosi said. "I was thinking about that actually," he added before the carpenter was speaking with a smile on his face.

"Great," Darnley said though that was all he could say since their waitress was bringing over their food. "Well… I am hungry," he said after they had their plates.

"True," Nkosi said with a nod while they were squeezing rapidly at each other's hands before they began to eat.

Though he wanted to rehash the day the investigator had moved in with him, Darnley turned back to his food, recalling at the start the night once they'd finished getting his boxes in while he was pressing his leg against his husband's.

"All done," Darnley said to his boyfriend with a smile.

"For you," Nkosi replied. "I will need to unpack everything."

"I can help with that you know," Darnley said, pouring out the rest of the beer from the bottle he'd opened. As he was handing his boyfriend the glass, he was startled to see the brief look he made and asked, "No?"

"You are just trying to sneak a look at my more private clothing," Nkosi teased him.

"Which I have seen already," Darnley reminded him. He rolled his eyes; though he was smiling at the same time; and said, "Then I'll help."

"Good, or else you will be waiting for me while I unpack," Nkosi said.

"Okay," Darnley said in a rush, picking up his glass of beer he'd poured. "Here's to us and taking another huge step together."

"To us," Nkosi replied before they tapped their glasses. He was reaching for his boyfriend before he took a sip, and they shared a kiss though he had to fight against himself to make it deeper than it was. When they parted, he wasn't surprised the detective was commenting about that with a slight smile on his face.

"You haven't tasted your beer," Darnley told him.

"Neither have you," Nkosi told him.

Taking a sip quickly Darnley said, "Hungry at all?"

"A little," Nkosi replied. "We really should eat something," he then said since he was aware of what his boyfriend was thinking.

"Alright," Darnley said, nodding his head briefly though he was a little disappointed. He helped him with their plates before they were getting their pizza and making their way to the family room where they sat together. "Want to watch something?" he asked once they were settled.

"No," Nkosi said.

"Then tell me something from your childhood," Darnley said.

Hesitating for a moment, he'd been tempted to ask his boyfriend for a memory from his childhood, Nkosi then said, "Would you like to hear about my first flight by myself? I was not a kid exactly but sixteen…"

"Go ahead," Darnley said interestedly. He watched his boyfriend's face, smiling at the investigator's obvious eagerness recalling working the instrumentation on the Cessna he'd been flying. When he had finished, he told him, "How long until you flew again?"

"The next weekend," Nkosi replied. He paused for a moment and then said, "Of course that flight I had some issues with the instruments and my mother had me wait for a month before I went again."

"An entire month," Darnley stated instead of answering before his boyfriend was responding.

"She was always a little… wary of my flying so I had to agree to that if I was going to get their permission again," Nkosi explained. He then added, "But I am a pilot, so I did get it."

Laughing, Darnley took a quick sip of his beer and told him, "I'm glad you did."

"After that flight I took you on?" Nkosi asked.

"Yeah, I told you I had fun," Darnley assured him.

"Good," Nkosi said firmly before he leaned over. They shared a quick kiss and he then said, "Would you tell me something?"

Shaking his head, Darnley reached for his boyfriend's hand and told him honestly, "I'm sorry, there isn't enough to talk about."

"Your grandfather?" Nkosi asked.

"Not tonight," Darnley replied. "To be honest I think I want to talk about now."

"Okay," Nkosi said with a smile to assure his boyfriend. "What about now? We have unpacked, dinner is… over. There are no sports on."

Laughing, Darnley said, "Good thing," before he was looking at his plate and nearly empty glass. He then turned to his boyfriend and said, "Would you like to go to our bed?"

"I think I would," Nkosi replied swiftly before he stood with his plate.

"You don't need to worry about that," Darnley said. He was startled when his boyfriend was just looking at him and said, "No?"

"We are going to have to learn to live with each other remember?" Nkosi asked, not surprised at the response he got from the detective.

"I'm going to guess we're starting now," Darnley said. When his boyfriend nodded, he leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips before they were clearing the table and putting everything away. While he was closing the dishwasher door he said, "You're going to love having a dishwasher."

"I agree," Nkosi replied before they were almost throwing themselves at each other and kissing hungrily. Holding onto his boyfriend tightly, he could feel Darnley grasping him and he pressed against him harder until they had to pull apart and breathe normally. "We were talking about our bed I think?" he asked while they gazed at one another, smiling slightly.

"We were and then we got sidetracked so-" Darnley started to say before his boyfriend was cutting him off by pulling him to the stairs.

Smiling at the sound of the detective's laughter behind him, Nkosi led the way up the stairs before they were entering their bedroom. He paused there and then looked at Darnley saying, "I feel…"

"Awkward?" the detective asked with a smile. When his boyfriend nodded once and Darnley kissed him lightly before he said, "I hope that won't last."

"It won't," Nkosi said, reaching for him before they were kissing hard again and beginning to reach for his clothes while Darnley was doing the same to him.

"I'm glad the kids are alright," Darnley said while he was closing the door of their room at the French home. He turned after locking it at the sound of his husband's laughter and was about to ask what was funny when he was responding.

"I'm a little confused," Nkosi told him. "Are you tired and want to go to bed?"

"No," Darnley said rapidly. "But I did want to mention it." He wasn't surprised when his husband nodded and they looked at each other for a while before he said, "Though you realize it's very awkward to say to you outright that I want us to fuck."

"I don't think it is," Nkosi replied.

Studying his husband, Darnley could see he was serious, and he reached for him to kiss him roughly. After they had parted, he said, "I need to get everything ready."

Smirking for a moment, Nkosi told his husband, "Not right away."

Cupping his husband's face, Darnley leaned into him and brushed his lips to the investigator's and told him, "No." With that they began to kiss hard again and proceeded to undress each other, taking turns until they were naked.

Getting onto the bed while his husband was watching, Nkosi looked on and smiled at Darnley walking to their bag for the night and rummage around until he brought out what they needed. "Is there something you want me to do?" he asked once his husband had turned around to him.

"I don't think so," Darnley said simply. He then got on the mattress with him and said, "Do you want to maybe do some fooling around first?"

About to tease him, Nkosi stopped himself before he said, "You did say you wanted to fuck me."

"I do, but I'd like a little bit more… first," Darnley replied after hesitating for a moment. He leaned into him and brushed his lips against his husband's before he said, "As long as you're with me on this," before Nkosi was taking the items out of his hands and speaking to him in amusement.

"I wouldn't have undressed," the investigator was pointing out to him while he moved to put everything on his nightstand. Reaching out to his husband, Nkosi told him, "And since you managed to get me here, I think you should start."

"You're ordering me, aren't you?" Darnley asked. When his husband merely nodded, he could help smiling and leaning into him, kissing him deeply before they were slowly parting. He moved down his husband's body and lightly kissed his neck then chest before he reached his erection. Holding it, though he didn't need to, he kissed the tip of his husband's length before he was lapping at him lightly. Hearing Nkosi above him groaning in pleasure spurred him to take the very tip into his mouth and he proceeded to lap at him and rub his tongue along the smooth skin there.

"Patrick… oh zintanda…" Nkosi said, calling his husband beloved. "Don't stop," he begged him.

"Believe me, I won't," Darnley said seriously. He wasn't surprised when, in response, his husband was urging him to move up to him. They kissed sensuously before they were slowly parting eventually and he told him, "I want you."

"I won't stop you, but you'll keep your promise," Nkosi said.

"I didn't know I'd promised anything," Darnley said, curling his hand around his husband's member.

Struggling to speak since his husband was gently jerking his hand around him, Nkosi said, "You should."

"I am right now," Darnley said, moving to kiss him roughly. He was quicker that time, moving away and kissing around his husband's chest on his way down again. Once he was at Nkosi's length he looked up at him and said, "You'll have to work a little quicker on me," pleased when he soon got a response since it was what he was angling for.

"You'll decide for me," Nkosi said in amusement before he was growing serious and lowering his head to the pillow underneath him at his husband's mouth kissing the tip of him. He forced himself to look down at Darnley, breathing roughly while the carpenter was sucking at him a little before proceeded to bob his head up and down. Clawing at the bed beneath him, he was doing his best not to thrust up against his husband though he was moving in response until his husband was caressing around him as much as possible. It didn't take that long after the new sensation was added to what he was feeling to reach his climax and he was calling out Darnley's name, exclaiming his joy in the sensation before he was riding out the rest of it silently. When he was limp on the bed, he was breathing hard, trying to speak but finding he couldn't do it.

Moving up his husband's body, Darnley kissed here and there but was careful not to do it too much and over stimulate him. He laid next to his husband and told him, "I hope you're okay."

"Okay? I feel fucking amazing," Nkosi said.

Smiling, Darnley brushed his lips to his husband's saying, "Language zintanda."

"I can't help it," Nkosi replied before he was moving, feeling strong enough to and kissing his husband lovingly. When they parted, he moved Darnley firmly onto his back and he was moving around his chest, kissing at him until he was at his erection and the carpenter was speaking swiftly above him.

"It's not going to take me that long," Darnley warned him. He was hissing through his teeth when his husband's reaction was to take him immediately into his mouth. He surrendered himself completely to the stimulation Nkosi was providing him, eager for their eventual coupling with the night still young for them both.

"You really should stop David," Rebecca told her husband.

"Do I need to?" the mayor asked with a smile.

"I think you do," Rebecca replied before they were leaning into each other and kissing gently. "Come on," she then said since they had reached the restaurant.

Going inside, David was relieved May and Luke had been right and they hadn't needed to get a reservation for the place. After they were at their table he said, "Interesting décor."

"Do you not like it?" Rebecca asked.

"Don't worry, it works," David said easily. He picked up her hand and swiftly kissed the back of it before they were turning to their waiter and ordering some wine. Alone again he asked, "I already took a look and I think we should get the maza for two and some kebabs after. And I'm asking your opinion."

Smiling, since her husband had spoken rapidly at the end, Rebecca kissed his cheek before she said, "That sounds great."

"Okay," David said with a nod before he was looking around for their waiter. Luckily the man was returning to them and with their drinks before he ordered, and they were left alone again.

After they were by themselves Rebecca said softly, "What do you want to do after this?"

"I should have known you'd be tired of me already," David said teasingly before his wife was rolling her eyes and speaking firmly though low and near his ear.

"I want you," Rebecca said. She pressed her lips together for a moment and said, "I'm serious."

"I hope so, after you told me that way," David said a little hoarsely. He squeezed her hand and told her, "We're not going to take that long after we eat." He then suddenly recalled something he'd thought of while they'd been packing for their stay at Sea Cliff. Touching her arm, he leaned into her and said, "You wouldn't want to go on a walk?"

"Where?" Rebecca asked with a smile.

"The beach, we're not that far," David answered.

"If you don't mind going in a cab twice," Rebecca said simply. She wasn't surprised when her husband's response was to wrap his arm around her waist before she snuggled against him murmuring, "You know what I'm thinking of right now?"

"Do I want to ask?" David responded teasingly. He laughed when she nudged him lightly against his side and he calmed down quickly to tell her, "I'm kidding, go ahead," not surprised she was responding quickly.

"That night we had the 'electrical storm' and lost our power," Rebecca said, putting the words electrical storm in air quotes.

"Are you still angry at me?" David asked.

Before she could answer, Rebecca watched with her husband while their appetizer was set in front of them, and they began to get the slices of pita bread to dip in humus. "I never was angry at you David," she told him eventually. "Especially after what happened that night."

"Great, because after that was really nice," the mayor replied. Smiling when his wife was laughing and leaning against him, David waited for her to calm down before she sat straight again. Brushing his lips to hers he said, "I won't do that tonight."

"You won't," Rebecca said simply before her husband was staring at her intently. She smiled a little before she changed the subject and reminded him of their plans that Christmas, though she knew they were both thinking of that night when she'd gone to his house for the night during the storm.

"David!" Rebecca called, getting water in the kitchen when the power went out.

"I'm here," he replied, walking swiftly over to her. "The storm is rough."

"Very," Rebecca replied. "Do you have any lanterns; I can barely see you."

"Right," David said, turning swiftly and hurrying to the closet in the entry. He brought out some flashlights and two electric lanterns before he was walking back to his girlfriend. "Here," he told her.

"Thank you," Rebecca said, taking one of the lanterns. "The coffee is ready so we can go sit."

"Sure, after you," David replied before they were walking together to the fireplace. Sitting with her on the floor, though they'd put blankets there, he said, "Besides this you've enjoyed it tonight, right?"

"I have," Rebecca said. "But don't feel like you need to pull the power to impress me."

About to speak, David closed his mouth again and then frowned before he said, "Okay, so I did it on purpose. Should I get the power back?"

"Yes," Rebecca told him firmly. She waited, looking at the fire before the lights came back on and she got up, moving around until she was back in front of the fireplace. She glanced behind her once she heard her boyfriend's footsteps and smiled at him when he was speaking in obvious confusion.

"Did the power go out while I was coming back?" David said.

"No," Rebecca replied easily. She tried not to laugh at the way her boyfriend was turning to the nearest light switch before she said, "Surprise."

"I guess I deserve that," David replied, smiling at her while he moved to where she was sitting. Once he was with her, he moved to kiss her gently on the lips before he said, "I hope you had a great time tonight."

"Up to this point, yes," Rebecca assured him. She kissed his cheek before scooting closer to him so she could wrap her arms around him at the same time he was holding onto her. "You seem so serious though… and working very hard to make things perfect," she told him.

"Well, I just wanted to…" David began. When he saw the way his girlfriend was looking at him, he sighed and said, "I wanted it to be perfect."

"And it has been," Rebecca said firmly. She then studied him and said, "Don't try and fool me, Dave."

Breathing out roughly, David ran his fingers through his hair and said, "Okay, I've been thinking."

"About…?" Rebecca asked slowly.

"Us, we've been dating for nine months now, and I really think we should try something," David replied.

"Are you going to tell me?" Rebecca asked in amusement.

"Yes, will you move in with me?" David asked immediately in response, watching her closely and feeling nervous until she began to smile.

"Of course I will," Rebecca replied. "As long as you're sure," she said, startled when her boyfriend became serious before she'd finished talking and soon began doing so himself.

"I've never been surer in my life," David said. "I put out the lights to make it more romantic for you. I've never done that."

"For any girlfriend?" Rebecca asked.

"For any," David echoed firmly. He was a little surprised when she leaned into him, and he was moving quickly to kiss her before they were parting slowly. "I love you Becca," he said huskily.

"I love you too David," Rebecca replied, nuzzling her nose to his. She moved back enough to look in his eyes and she said in amusement, "When do I move in?"

"Tonight," David said as firmly as he could. He then grabbed her and held her against him before kissing her deeply and gently laying her down on their small nest. They were involved in that for some time, only parting for a few quick gasps of air until they were staying apart to pant heavily.

"You're… I think I'm enjoying my new home already," Rebecca said with a smile.

"We'll have to figure some things out though," David said. "The closet though my clothes only take up half." He was surprised when she suddenly reached up to him and covered his lips with her index finger before she spoke seriously.

"We can work on that tomorrow," Rebecca replied. "I have to get all my things anyway."

"Okay," David said slowly after he'd kissed at her finger once she was moving it away. "Then… what will we do the rest of the night?"

"Oh, I have a few ideas," Rebecca replied.

"Great, so do I," David said before they were laughing together. When they had calmed down, they were staring at one another seriously before he was leaning down to her.

With that kiss, David and Rebecca began working each other up to begin making love, remaining there in front of the fire before they would move up to what had just become their bedroom and continue their night together.

Breathing roughly while her husband was thrusting harder against her for one last time, Rebecca held onto David tightly when he slumped against her. She was gently caressing at his back, waiting for him to calm down as she eventually had. "David?" she asked after a while.

Groaning in his pleasure, the mayor raised his head and kissed his wife tenderly before he told her, "I'm so glad you wanted to do that."

Laughing gently, Rebecca kissed at the side of his head and told him, "I kind of needed to."

"So did I," David replied.

"I'm very aware," Rebecca replied before they were sharing a deep kiss. After they parted after a little, she said, "Are you tired?"

"No," David said firmly. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Though I might need a little time," relieved seeing her relief before she was speaking.

"Good, so will I," Rebecca replied before she sighed when he pulled away from her gently. She turned to him once he was laying on his back, draping herself over him and feeling her husband's length.

"Yeah, a little more," David said.

"You're still hard," Rebecca said, a little confused.

"Just a little more time," David told her. He was surprised when her response was to snuggle against him a little closer and he held her tight saying, "You're… how are you doing?"

Smiling, Rebecca reminded him, "I did say I would need some more time too." She then looked up at him and asked, "What's wrong?"

Shaking his head David said, "I'd like to touch you."

"You should have said in the first place," Rebecca replied with a smile before she rolled onto her back. She waited for him to move above her and once he was there, she was reaching for him so they could kiss. He was soon moving to her neck, and she arched it so he could kiss at it. When he pulled away, she said, "Just… nothing too rough okay?"

"I won't," David reassured her before he began peppering her upper body with kisses. Once he was between her legs, he was gently kissing at the mound there before he hesitated.

"It's alright," Rebecca told him swiftly when she saw the way he was looking up at her.

Nodding, David began kissing around her sex before he was brushing his lips and tongue along the inside of her thighs as he knew she loved. Hearing her crying out above him he couldn't help himself and he reached for her, lapping at her folds for a little before she was pulling at his shoulders.

"That's enough Dave," Rebecca said firmly. "And I want you to fuck me," she commanded.

"Whatever you want Becca," David replied before he was sliding inside of her eagerly. He was even more aroused at her cry of joy in response to him and it took him very little time before he was thrusting swiftly. They were kissing each other ravenously while they were moving together, Rebecca digging her nails into his skin and spurring him to build his pace though it was next to impossible.

When she was orgasming again, Rebecca wasn't surprised it hadn't taken that long to reach that point and she was holding him to her. Feeling his release within her, his length moving almost frantically, she kissed at the side of his head and tried not to bite his ear while she was taking in his reaction to her pleasure.

Once he had calmed down, David pressed his lips against his wife's nipples, hearing her soft gasp, before he forced himself to raise his head. "You're absolutely stunning," he told her once he was looking into her eyes.

"You're amazing yourself," Rebecca said, rubbing gently at his back before he was leaning down to her and kissing her lightly. When he eventually pulled gently away from her, she said, "I do have to wonder something," smiling at his swift response.

"I think it proves I can't really resist the temptation you make," David told her.

"Hmm, good," Rebecca said, smiling at him. They were leaning into each other and kissing deeply before he was pulling away and sucking gently at her nipples. "David… please you need to-" she started to say before he was kissing her and cutting her off. After they had parted, she moaned when he was slowly shifting inside of her and she told him, "You don't need to… oh… please make me come again."

"Believe me," David replied. "I want to." With that he proceeded to thrust in her again, going carefully at first to make sure Rebecca was ready for him. He was overjoyed to feel she was, and he was going a little faster as she was urging him, both of them eager but taking their time to please each other until they would need to get some rest for the next day.