Chapter 30 (FINAL CHAPTER)

THREE WEEKS LATER

"Hey, Jack, can you grab that plate of cookies off the counter?" Audrey called. "There are some Ziploc bags in the cabinet. Grab one, and put some of the cookies in it."

Jack appeared a few minutes later, and dropped a plastic bag of still-warm chocolate chip cookies into Audrey's basket. "There. I didn't eat any, I promise. Is that everything?"

Audrey inspected the basket that she was packing. "Hot dogs, potato chips, a few carrot sticks, cookies, and lemonade. Yep, that's everything." She picked up the basket. "Kim and Angela should be here soon. Let's head outside and get everything set up." She poked the canvas bag that sat next to the door. "What's this?"

"Beach toys for Angela," Jack replied, picking up the bag. "Kid-size plastic shovels and pails for building sand castles." He handed the bag to Audrey. "If you can carry that, I'll get the picnic basket."

Audrey took the bag and hobbled towards the back door. "Got it." After what seemed like an eternity, Dr. Carlson had given her permission to "graduate" to using crutches. Audrey was relieved at how much easier and faster it was to move around. She made her way across the patio with ease. Jack met her at the top of the stairs, and took a gentle hold on her elbow to help her keep her balance. They made their way carefully down the steps, and soon stepped down into the soft sand. "There."

Audrey spread out a large blanket, and got to work unpacking the picnic basket. Jack turned his attention to gathering wood for the fire. In minutes, he had stacked a good-sized pile of wood near their blanket. Audrey lowered herself to the ground next to him, laying her crutches out in front of her. "What can I do to help?"

Jack handed her a handful of newspaper. "Crumple those up into balls, and we'll use them for kindling."

Audrey finished balling up the newspaper pages, and glanced up. Jack had arranged the wood in the shape of a tepee, and was methodically placing the crumpled newspaper inside of it. "I'd say you've done this more than once," Audrey remarked, watching Jack's skillful movements.

He nodded. "Special Forces training. One of the first survival lessons was on how to build a good fire." He surveyed his handiwork. "Let's see how I did." Audrey watched as Jack lit a match and touched it to the newspaper in several places. He nodded with satisfaction as the paper quickly caught fire and began to burn. In minutes, they had a roaring, crackling fire in front of them. Jack smiled. "God knows how long it's been since Special Forces, and I still remember how to build a fire. Sergeant Conlon would be proud."

Audrey moved closer to the merrily crackling fire and held out her hands, savoring the light and warmth. "Feels great."

"Hey, guys!" They both turned, and saw Kim and Angela hurrying towards them. "We're here. Sorry we're late." Kim shook her head. "Your map was awful, Dad. We got lost."

"That's a lie!" Angela shouted, giggling. "Your map was good. She was holding it upside down, that's all!" Kim tried to clamp a hand over the little girl's mouth, but Angela ducked away and ran to Jack, still giggling.

Jack shook his head, trying unsuccessfully to hold back a smirk. "You were holding the map upside down? Smooth, Kimmy. Real smooth. I thought I taught you better than that." He scooped Angela into his arms. "I guess I'll just have to show you how to read a map."

"Please do," Kim laughed. "Someone in the house should know how to read a map and follow directions, even if it is a four-year-old."

"I can do it!" Angela protested. "I'm a big girl. My preschool teacher said so. She let me pass out the pretzels at snack time today."

Jack ruffled Angela's unruly blond hair. "Your teacher was right. You are a big girl. A smart, pretty, big girl." He placed her on her feet on the ground. "Well, now that you're finally here, Kim," he said with a smirk, "shall we start roasting the hot dogs?"

"Yes!" Angela cried. "I'm starving!"

Audrey smiled at the little girl as she collected her crutches and got to her feet. "Well, then, come on over here and let me show you what to do."

What followed was a flurry of laughter and teasing. Kim caught her first hot dog on fire and burned it to a charcoaled crisp, and dropped her second attempt into the coals. At last, on her third attempt, she managed to roast the hot dog successfully. "I did it!"

"Yeah, on the third try," Jack said with a laugh. "Even Angela got hers right the first time."

"Because you helped her," Kim retorted. She inspected her hot dog. "I think I need some help." Shaking his head, Jack helped his daughter slide her hot dog off of the roasting stick and into a bun. "Thanks," Kim said gratefully, taking a bite of the steaming hot dog. "Yum. Perfect."

The four of them took seats around the merrily crackling fire, and settled in to eat. They passed the bag of potato chips back and forth, shared the carrots, and playfully fought over the chocolate chip cookies. When they had eaten their fill and emptied the container of lemonade, they sat the picnic basket aside. "That was yummy," Angela remarked. "What are we going to do now?"

"How about building a sand castle?" Audrey suggested. Angela clapped her hands eagerly. Together, the four of them built an impressive sand castle. Audrey, Kim, and Angela all teased Jack when he attempted to add a window, and instead succeeded in collapsing the entire front wall. "Nice job," Audrey laughed, watching the wall crumble and collapse. "Hey, Angela, help me fix the mess that your grandpa made." Angela giggled as she crawled over to Audrey and helped her rebuild the wall. "There," Audrey said with satisfaction. "Now, Jack, this is how you make windows." She lightly traced the outline of a window with one manicured fingernail. "See? Don't jab it, or the wall will collapse and cave in."

"Yeah, now you tell me." Jack spotted something in the sand. "Here. You can use these for decorations." He handed Angela and Audrey a handful of small colorful shells. They accepted them eagerly, and began to place them on the walls of the castle.

"There." Angela nodded. "It looks pretty now."

Audrey gently stuck an amber-colored starfish to the roof of the castle. "It's perfect."

"The only problem is that the waves are coming closer," Kim spoke up. Nervously, they watched the ocean waves creep closer and closer. They all jumped when a large wave crashed onto the shore and sent the castle tumbling into the surf.

"Oh, no!" Angela wailed. "The castle's gone!"

"There's only one thing to do about that," Audrey said with a reassuring smile. "Build another one." They set to work once again.

"I think this one's even better than the first one," Kim remarked, surveying the completed sand castle. "I like it."

Angela eyed the ocean apprehensively. "I hope another big wave doesn't come." Jack had a solution to that problem. He located several large chunks of driftwood, and used them to build a barrier around their castle. Angela smiled. "Thanks, Grandpa. The castle's safe now."

Jack ruffled her hair. "You're very welcome. Now, what do you say that we go for an evening swim?"

Angela clapped her hands excitedly. "Yes, yes!"

Audrey sighed as she laid her crutches out in front of her on the blanket. "I guess I'll just have to sit here and watch you," she said reluctantly. "I won't be getting my stitches out for another two weeks, and I can't get them wet." She glared at her injured leg, and kicked at the sand. "I want to swim!"

Jack smiled as he held up a roll of something that looked like an Ace wrap. "I think we can manage that. I got this from Dr. Carlson. It's a waterproof bandage." Audrey's eyes lit up, and she reached for the package. Jack chuckled as he sat down next to her. Together, they wrapped her injured leg thickly with the material. "There. No water can possibly get through all of that." Jack patted Audrey's shoulder. "Go swim."

Audrey needed no further urging. Grabbing Angela's hand, she dashed into the water. Kim and Jack followed, more slowly, but that plan fell apart when Audrey snuck up behind them and drenched them with a massive splash. Angela burst into a fit of giggles. Jack wiped water out of his eyes and surveyed Audrey. "Okay, you asked for it!"

Audrey screeched as Jack swung her into his arms and waded into deeper water. Gently but firmly, he dumped her into the water, where she landed with a splash. She came up sputtering and laughing as she wiped water from her eyes. "You'd better be careful, Audrey," Kim warned, surfacing after a dive. "He'll dunk you if you give him the chance. He used to do it to Mom and me all the time."

Audrey eyed Jack. "Oh, really? Thanks, Kim. I'll keep that in mind." She grinned. "For now, though...you'd better run!" From behind her back, she produced two massive, fully loaded squirt guns.

Kim and Angela screeched, and bolted into deeper water. "Where did those come from?" Jack asked in surprise, sputtering as Audrey hit him full in the face with a stream of water.

She smiled wickedly. "They were in the bag of beach toys. I hid them when you weren't looking."

What followed was a chaotic melee of shrieks, screeches, laughter, and splashes as the four of them quickly became immersed in a full-fledged water war. Audrey and Angela teamed up and dunked Jack twice, but he soon caught on and drenched them with the water guns.

At last, they collapsed into the warm sand, too exhausted to continue their war. "Truce," Audrey panted. "I surrender." She plopped down onto their blanket, and Jack sprawled out next to her. Kim lay down on his other side, sandwiching him between them, and Angela curled up next to her.

"That was fun," Kim commented. "We'll have to do this again some time." Everyone else agreed emphatically.

Angela giggled. "I liked dunking Grandpa."

"Hey!" Jack exclaimed. Kim and Audrey laughed aloud. "You're crazy," Jack told them, shaking his head.

"Runs in the family," Kim replied, quickly moving out of the way as Jack swung his hand out to swat her. Audrey and Angela snickered, and then collapsed in further gales of helpless laughter as Jack captured and tickled both of them.

Eventually, the four of them calmed and fell still. The sun had set by then, and they lay on their backs on the thick blanket and watched the stars twinkle above them. "Hey, Audrey," Jack said suddenly. "Remember those facts that Dr. Carlson told us about lions?" She nodded. "Look up," Jack told her. "There's Leo the lion." Audrey looked where Jack was pointing, and saw that the stars did indeed form the rough shape of a lion. For the next few minutes, everyone pointed out and tried to find various constellations.

Slowly, as they grew sleepy, they fell silent one by one. Jack was sandwiched between Audrey and Kim, and Angela was on Kim's other side. They lay there together, silent, each lost in their own thoughts, as they gazed at the starry night sky.

THE END

A/N: Yes, this is the end. The story's over. sniff . Sad, I know. But don't worry! I've already got some ideas for new stories churning around in by brain. Thank you so much for reading this story. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed writing it as much as you liked reading it. Thanks a ton for all the great reviews. They made me smile, laugh, and think. I had a GREAT time reading all of your comments and insights!

For the final time (for this story anyway): Did you have a favorite scene, quote, or character? Did you have a favorite, scene, quote, or character OVERALL in the story? If so, what/who/when?

Thanks for reading! I'm already working on typing new chapters for another story. Look for it soon; I hope you'll like it!