Marriage is Murder

When Abbey had finished her popsicle, Robert carried her back outside and put her back on the sand. He picked up a little shell and put it in her hand.

"Look at me," he said to Abbey quietly. The child looked at him. "Not food," he said. "You can play with it. Don't eat it. Toy. Not food."

"Toy," she repeated slowly in her tiny voice, trying to absorb what he told her.

"Yes. Toy. Not food," he said. She hurled the shell to the sand as if it angered her. He laughed. "She has her father's temper. Rob always did have a quick fuse when he didn't get his own way. But she does understand now, and that's what's important. Do try to not let her eat anymore inedibles, would you?" He handed her her sand pail and shovel and she threw them angrily.

"Now she's acting like her mother," Kate laughed.

"Either way, she'll get over it," Robert laughed.

Jess watched as Andrew moved to Abby and looked at her " Abby play?" he asked looking up at Robert then at Abby again. Jess looked at them both.

"Hes been waiting for her " she said and looked at Robert as Andrew took Abby's hand in his own. Jack watched as he moved to sit with Jess he smiled when Andrew too Abby's hand and hoped in her current mood he would not end up with a black eye for it.

" I'd watch out Andrew shes got a temper " he said and looked at them both.

"Yes, Andrew," Robert said. "She can play now. Why don't you show her how to make one of those sandcastles you're learning to make? She likes sand but doesn't know what to do with it. That's why she's so mad. I bet you can help her smile by showing her sand can be fun." Robert looked at Khaat.

"Why dont' you go swim?" he asked her.

"My suit is in the house," she said.

"Easily fixed, my dear," he said. He transfigured her clothes into a lovely white one piece suit that showed off her flawless figure and perfect tan. Brain found himself simply staring at her, unable to move his eyes from her. The simple white swimsuit utterly captivated him. Well, that and the little perfectly toned body that filled it.

"Brian," Kate tapped his cheek lightly. "Come out of it, Son. Its just a bathing suit."

"Oh, no, its not," he said softly, still staring at her, completely tail over teakettle in love with his wife. Robert flicked his wand and transfigured Brian's clothes into a swimsuit.

"So go with that little swimsuit," Robert laughed.

Jess chuckled at the look on Brian's face as he saw Khaat in her swimsuit Jack saw it too " you know, you should probably go with her" he said chuckling " before some young whipper snapper comes and steals her right from under your nose mate" he said patting him on his back knowing he would know he was joking with him . Andrew smiled and lead her to sit with him taking some sand he placed it in his bucket and added the water to make it all stick together , tipping it out it held and he looked at her then handed her the bucket to try for herself.

"I'll turn him into a slug," Brian scowled, still staring at Khaat. Just at that moment, she turned and saw him staring at her and immediately became self concious. She looked at Jess.

"Okay, what's showing that shouldn't be?" she asked jess, knowing she would be honest with her. "I haven't seen that look before. I dont' know if I should like it or not."

"Go swim," her mother laughed. Khaat scowled at Brian.

"No more white swimsuits?" she asked him. He started to shake his head.

"No," he managed hoarsely. "LOTS more white swimsuits. Don't ever get rid of that one. Not ever." She frowned, confused. Then she looked at her father.

"Did you hex him?" she demanded.

"No, my dear," Robert laughed. "He's just 100% all boy. Go have fun."

Jess laughed and transfigured her clothes to a two piece this made Jack stand open mouthed as he looked at her shapely figure. " Khaat nothing is wrong there just noticing that everything's in the right place and that were not just mummy's, isn't that right jack?" she said chuckling seeing his mouth still open she walked over to him and closed hit " your not catching flies dear " she said and moved to Khaat chuckling as with a flick of her hand she changed Jack into some swim shorts and took Khaat by the arm. " I do believe hes flirting with you Khaat" she said now grinning to both men.

"Oh, is that it?" Khaat said. "I thought perhaps something was hanging out."

"No," Brian said. "Its all just where I want it."

"Oh. Good, Lets go swim," Khaat said heading for the beach. Brian followed blindly, still star struck. She dove into the water, and Brian seemed to be watching her dive. Robert laughed, noticing that Brian had saw her well toned shapely backside because it was the last to go into the water.

"He's all boy, isn't he?" Robert laughed.

"He certainly is," Kate smiled. "And he so loves her. I am so happy with them both. They deserve it. They both deserve to be happy."

"They certainly do. I've never seen him even willing to be in love. Much less so deeply in love with her."

Jess followed Khaat and dove in with her " ow I know how that boy feels " he said and smiled moving to run and dive in to be with Jess he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close to him as she laughed relaxed finally " hay you owe me a surf dude" she said grinning at him.

" what... and show of my wife's body to some surfer dude, no way" he said pulling her under with him as he swam then surfaced again still holding her but still close to Khaat " he truly is in love with her " he said and felt Jess kiss his cheek.

" hes smitten hook line and sinker , and hes already married her " she said but smiled as she moved to face Jack " you still smitten with me ?" Jack looked at her and smiled " of course I am Jess even after four years I still feel totally lost and knocked out by you and I think Khaat and Brian feel as we did and still do " he said softly as he lent down to kiss her.

" awe, you can talk romantic some times jack black heart " she said smiling at him " but it always get me" she said and pushed him so he fell back into the water holding her around her waist as they swum to shore.

Brian conjured some snorkeling equipment and he showed Khaat how to use it. He took her diving to see the beautifully colored tropical fish. She was amazed. And she enjoyed swimming holding her hand. He wasn't going to let her go out of reach of him since it was her first time diving. He pulled her deliberately away from a jellyfish. She had never seen one, and he was protective. He didn't want her stung. Khaat didn't know they stung, but Brian was rigid and not going to allow it.

She soon surfaced and saw Jess and Jack. "Come with us! This is absolutely gorgeous! Brian will teach you how to snorkel and you can come with us! You'll love it."

Jess smiled and accioed some snorkeling gear handing one to Jack he looked at her and nodded. " lets go" he said and swum with her out to them diving down she saw a clown fish and pointed , jack saw an octopus but staid away from is he knew better , surfacing he laughed " this is wonderful , did you see the size of that octopus is was as big as my arm " he said and Jess laughed.

" nope more like your ego " she said and he splashed her as she dove down into the clear water once again to admire the colors of the coral all around them,