"I always knew that Pete had a hidden romantic side, but I still can't picture him getting down on his knees and proposing." Jean, who was still holding Sally's hand to examine the engagement ring Pete bought her earlier in the day. "This is one of the most beautiful rings I've ever seen. Did Pete pick it out or did you decide?"

"A little of both", Sally smiled "I loved it the second I saw it, but it seemed too much to ask him to spend so I was looking at other rings. Pete knew that I was thinking about settling for a different ring, but he wouldn't let me do that." Sally kept her eye on the engagement ring, almost as she was afraid that it would disappear. "Wait until you see the wedding band."

"It's been a long time since I've seen Pete this happy. You two are perfect for each other." Jean chuckled and pointed towards the water where Pete was putting the final touches on a sand castle. As they watched, Jimmy crashed into the sand creation, smashing it flat. The two of them started wrestling on the ground, with Jimmy getting the upper hand.

"Look at those two. Sometimes it's hard to remember which one of them is almost five", Jean continued "He'll make a great father one day."

Sally watched as Pete tossed Jimmy in the air, caught him and ran into the ocean to rinse both of them off. "I hope so….".

There was a hint of hesitation in Sally's response; a tone that Jean couldn't ignore. "I don't want to push, but have you and Pete discussed having children?" Jean rested her hand on the slight bulge around her middle. She hadn't said anything yet, but Sally had her suspicions. "Does he want them?"

"Oh yeah. If he had his way, he'd have a dozen of them. The only requirement being that he wants to name the first girl Colleen, after the stillborn sister his parents finally told him about."

"And you? Do you want that many?" That dangling "I hope so" was still on Jean's mind

"I'd settle for nine, enough to field a baseball team."

"Good, now relax. Pete will be there to help you raise them. You've got to believe that. He looks great." Jean turned her head towards the parking lot looking for Jim, who should have met them at the beach by now.

"Did Jim give you any idea when he will be here? Pete and Jimmy are coming this way and they both look very hungry."

"We are." Pete dropped down to sit on the blanket, grabbing two cookies and handing one to Jimmy. "What is keeping that husband of yours cuz in a minute, I'm breaking into the basket."

Jean opened the picnic basket, flashed Pete a big grin while tossing him an apple. "Try this."

"An apple is a poor substitute for fried chicken, potato salad and whatever else you've got in there." Pete's attempt to see inside the basket was thwarted as Jean quickly closed it.

Sally got up off the blanket, holding her hand out to Pete. "Come on, we can take a walk down the beach until Jim gets here. We can build up your appetite."

"I can think of better ways to do that", Pete smiled mischievously, "but let's go."

O~O~O

The couple walked south along the beach; the waves splashing on their legs. Pete's arm was around her waist, as much for the touch of her body as to keep her from being knocked over by a wave.

"The tides coming in. Are you up for a moonlit swim in the hightide?" Pete, who knew that Sally was afraid to swim when the water was rough, gave her a kiss to forestall her answer. Sally lightly slapped his shoulder. "You stinker. I'll watch you and hunt for shells instead."

They walked in silence, waiting until they passed a few large rocks, giving them a little privacy. Sally turned to face him, needing to hear him reassure her.

"Pete? Isn't it a little early to fight the waves?" Her eyes gave away her unanswered question. Pete pulled her tight into his arms.

"I'm not going away for a long time. You better than most know how far I've come in these months. If it makes you feel any better, I'm done with the dangerous part of the job. You're stuck with me."

Sally held tight to Pete and gave him a very passionate kiss. They laid down in the sand, taking advantage of the privacy and that is how Jim found him.

"Get a room you two, or come back to the blanket, dinner is waiting."

Sally ran ahead to help Jean set up the dinner, leaving Pete and Jim lagging behind.

"Uh Pete…"

"No, whatever it is that caused you to be late is off-limits." Pete picked up his pace. Jim grabbed Pete by his arm in an attempt to stop him.

"This is really bad Pete."

"Is anyone dead?" He looked at his partner as if it was a dead mouse and the cat was wondering if it was worth pursuing it.

"No, but…" Suddenly, he felt like he did on their first day riding together and wisely stopped talking.

"Good choice. I'm sure I'll hear the whole story in the morning.

~J~