Still making her mind up about him, but he's getting there.

Paras

A Dazzling Beauty (fin)

Another ficlet for simonerenoir “I can’t believe we have to leave tomorrow,” Rick whined. “I never want to go!” Kate snorted. “Of course not! You’ve eaten your weight in pastries while we’ve been here.” Rick tried to scowl, but it came off unsuccessful as his cheeks were stuffed with cannoli. He finally swallowed the huge bite. “Says the woman who has drank TWICE her body volume of espresso.” He laughed when she stuck her tongue out at him. After much debate, they finally decided to spend their honeymoon in Italy. Rick had surprised her by renting a private villa in the country. They’d enjoyed wine, making love, pasta, making love, shopping in designer stores, and making love. “Hey,” Kate started. “What would you say if we extended our honeymoon another week?” “Seven more days of Italian food and wine? Sold!” “Well…what if we went somewhere else?” Rick’s forehead wrinkled. “Where are you thinking?” Biting her lip, Kate slid a folded paper across the table. Opening it, Rick’s eyes widened. “New Zealand?” She nodded silently, giving him another piece of paper. This time his mouth dropped opened and he started breathing heavily. “Lor-Lord…tour…full pack-package.” Finally, he managed, “A full Lord of the Rings tour package!!” Kate laughed. “Yeah. I thought we could end our honeymoon with a walk through Middle Earth.” “Really?!?!?!” “Really, really.” Leaning over the table, Rick pulled Kate in for a long kiss. “You are the best wife, EVER!” He threw a few Euros on table. “C’mon, we need to go find an electronics store. I need more memory cards for the digital camera.” “Castle, I already brought five, four gig cards just for the New Zealand trip alone.” Rick moaned. “I reiterate. Best. Wife. Ever.” 

“How long is this cold weather supposed to last?” Kate asked. “At least through Sunday,” Rick replied, after checking his phone. “The low tonight is negative four degrees!” Shaking her head, Kate rubbed her hands up and down her arms. After rooting in a dumpster for evidence, she and Rick had finally escaped to the loft from the cold, cold weather. “We better break out the extra blankets tonight,” she said. “You know, there are other ways to keep warm.” Rick waggled his eyebrows at her. She rolled her eyes at him. “Really?” Wrapping his arms around her, Rick pulled Kate close. “Mother is gone on her trip to Florida. We have the whole loft alllllll to ourselves.” Pressing a kiss to his chin, Kate smiled. “And what exactly do you have in mind, Mister?” “Well,” he started, kissing her neck softly. “I thought we could turn down the lights…” He slid his hands down her sides. “Pour a nice glass of wine…” Then he leaned in close to her ear. “And then I’ll kick your ass in Mario Kart.” Kate grinned wickedly. “You are so on.” “I call Yoshi!” Rick called as he ran to the TV. “No way! I get Yoshi!” Kate yelled back as she chased after him.