The changes Myles is experiencing are just wonderful to behold, and the way he treated Carolyn with such kindness and understanding, sensing what she left unspoken, brought me to tears. Amazing, amazing work!

Can I just ditto Tina... I'm too teary-eyed to be able to get much more typed. This story is so touching!

Kav, you're spoiling us!! Such a nice, long, warm part of your story. You just gotta love Myles when he's in a good mood, don't you? I am so relieved to know that he already uncovered part of Carolyn's problem. At least he made sure she has a decent meal... and a job to come back to tomorrow. I think Myles will find a reason to go home during lunch again....

Kav you reduce me to tears everytime.... the deep emotions you write so well and the realistic plot makes this story so heart rendering moving.....

thank you for it so far and i really can hardly wait for more...

Well, I'm blubbering like the rest of them. I'm so thankful that help - even in small doses right now - has come to Carolyn. She and Cassie will have a meal for the evening - and I'm sure Myles will make sure she has more tomorrow.

Wonderful, wonderful story with superb writing!

Can I cheat and just say ditto to everyone else???

Kav, this story is wonderful...I just love it.

Jill

This is doing Myles good already I can tell!! But is it taking it too far to use FBI resources to find out about Carolyn? Oh I so hope he can help her and Cassie even more.

How wonderful to see the change in Myles as he responds to Carolyn and her needs.

Kav, your story touches my heart. I'm relieved that through Myles, Carolyn may begin to feel some hope about her life.

This is such a wonderful and uplifting story - so totally appropriate for the Easter season.

Kav you said a couple and this was only one! I want more - sorry just needing some me time. Besides I love a story with a man of honor...

I find myself utterly entranced with your story. I can't stop checking to see if you've posted more! Isn't it truly amazing how a person can change when they open their heart. I know that by the end of this story everyone involved will have been transformed by this experience. I know that Carolyn and Cassie will saved from their misery (and hopefully soon!).

Now....don't forget, you promised 2 posts! I know I'm getting greedy but it's just so good!

Kav, I just caught up on your story!! What an entrancing tale!! I love how you portray Myles and his search for that something he's missing!! He has the right help in Sue, to take him down the path!!

Little Cassie is adorable and a perfect person to bring Myles into his own!! Poor Carolyn - my heart goes out to her and her struggles!! Thank God she has found Myles, Jack and Sue!! I know Myles is going to get to the bottom of her story and help her as much as he can!!!

I have had to laugh at the scenes with Myles talking to Sue and Jack walking in on them!! And little Cassie telling Jack about "the man" on Sunday that Sue was holding hands with!! I love Sue asking for God's help with Jack!!! I know he will help her in his own way!!!

The Breakfast Club is going to be a real treat for the team and they will undoubtedly get more out of it than they give!!!

Can't wait for more of your wonderful story, Kav!!!

Joy

Well I only said I thought I could post another time. so here it is, but it's only a snippet, though it should put your mind at ease over Jack and Sue. I did my groceries this evening so that took up a chunk of my time. That involves my grocery cart and I trekking 40 minutes down the road to the giant superstore. It's a nice walk along a treed bikepath and it would probably only take me 30 minutes except I'm on a first name basis with all the dogs in the area and so I have to stop and catch up and scratch ears. Then I have to navigate around the crowded store (even at 9:00 at night) and the fun part is getting to do my own check out. I get excited by very simple things. Then I have to pack up my grocery cart so it will hold everything (that is a fine art in itself) and then I trek back home in the dark retrieving all the stuff that bounces out of the overflowing cart when I hit the curbs. So it probably takes me about 45 minutes to get home depending on how many dogs are out on their evening constitutional. Once home I have to put everything away, let out my dogs who sniff me curiously to see who I've met and then I had to play bop ball with the bright pink ball I just bought them only Simba killed it after a half hour and we now have two dead balls in our yard that he broods over like a mother hen. So by the time I got in the house for real it was 10 o'clock and this explanation is longer then the actually post.... May be another one tonight depending on whether I am still this hyper in an hour. (grocery days always make me a little giddy.)


It was nerve wracking riding the elevator down to the main lobby at in the lunch hour rush. Sue felt awkward and Jack seemed detached and there was nothing she could say in the middle of this crowd. At the lobby Jack pressed against the button to hold the doors open. “Parking garage or are we going some place close?” he asked – the first words he’d spoken since they left the bullpen together.

Sue looked down at Levi whose hopeful eyes plead his case quite compellingly. “Let’s cut through the park and let Levi have a run and grab sandwiches and Jerry’s,” she suggested.

“Fine by me. You’re buying,” Jack agreed grinning as Sue looked at him askance. “Well, you did invite me for lunch.”

Sue caught the wicked glint in his eye and her nerves dissipated marginally, to be replaced by a cautious fluttering of hope. Now what? she asked, directing the query heavenward.

“You bailing, Thomas?”

Sue rolled her eyes at him. “No, Hudson, I’m trying to reel you in -- can’t you tell the difference?” She flounced in front of him, Levi prancing eagerly at her side.

He let them get ahead, admiring the sway of her hips and the lilt to her walk in the process. He didn’t know what was going on with Leland, but he could tell when a woman was flirting with him and Sue Thomas was definitely acting on the flirtatious side. She might be intent on reeling him in, but he was just as determined to do some fishing of his own...and this time he wasn't going to toss his 'catch' away.

I have a feeling that if I could go grocery shopping with you just once, I might look at the whole thing in a different light! lol Grocery shopping isn't something that ever leaves me giddy...

Thanks for the post---though short it was hopeful as far as Jack and Sue go!! Love that she's flirting and he's fishing! Can't wait for more.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kav!!!

The tale about your grocery adventure is as interesting and exciting as your story is!! I could picture the bike path perfectly and was wishing I could have walked along with you!!!

Jack, yes, my man, I do believe you are being reeled in!! If you're smart, you will go without a fight!!! No reason for you to go fishing, you already have your catch!!!

Joy

I agree with Tina - grocery shopping never makes me that happy, although my 6 year old seems to enjoy it!

We've been doing some fishing here lately - didn't catch anything as remotely cute as Jack and Sue though (catfish are downright frightening).

It's agreed - we all want to go grocery shopping with you, Kav! I dread it for days, putting it off as long as I can, then I medicate myself (not really) just to get through it! And then, when I get home and get everything put away, I'm exhausted.

Loved the snippet, though - Jack feels hopeful and Sue is in a flirty mood - WOOT!!!

And here I thought taking a 17 year old along was the way to go shopping. I like your version much better!

Jack and sue....a little romp in the park ought to do you good!


Jill

All caught up again...long day of scrapping for charity...apparently not as exciting as a trip to the grocery store with Kav. You are hilarious and I can picture you on your walk vividly...

Loved Myles response to the Spirit's prodding...keep listening Myles. So glad he fed her and is in tune to what she is not sharing.

Can't wait for the fishing to begin

beautiful post with Myles and carolyn then into flirty post with j/s - a good read to get up to in the morning,

eagerly awaiting more

cath

Let the flirting and fishing begin!

Let's hope Jack can actually catch Sue


Your shopping trip has tired me out reading about it and I thought when I went shopping it was an expedition!

There was a new jaunt in Carolyn’s step as she ducked out the far door of the library and skirted around the gnarled afternoon traffic to reach the school in time to pick up Cassie, hugging the containers of stew to her breast the entire way.

Walking through the streets with her belly full gave her a confidence she hadn’t felt in a long while. So much so that she raised her head and looked right at people. Smiled even a time or two.

Tonight her daughter was going to have a real meal. Not scraps from someone else’s table or packages from the convenience store that were more chemicals than food. A real, homecooked meal – the kind that Carolyn would have made if she’d had a stove to cook on and grocery money to spend. The problem still facing her was how to heat it up. Please Father, you have been so good to me today, could you help me with just one more thing?

Half a block later she found them…a whole sheet of bus tickets just lying on the pavement. She snatched them up and looked around aimlessly trying to see who could have dropped them. A whole sheet! Ten dollars worth of bus tickets and no way to claim the owner. It had to be a sign, she thought giddily and that’s when her grand scheme took shape. She knew exactly what she was going to do and she couldn’t wait until she reached the school and share The Plan with her daughter.

Her happiness over a simple thing makes me want to cry. I have one idea of where she might be going with the bus tickets and Cassie and the dinner.

It is amazing what a hot meal can do - the hope it can restore. And now, the bus tickets - God works in mysterious ways..but He definitely works..and I'm loving that he's using Myles!

Now, did you say something about fishing? And flirting?

WOO HOO JACKY

ooppps missed that post......


so what si she going to do????

That about sums it up..... so

I just love that Myles solved the problem with food and not money and that hungry as she was Carolyn's first thought was how to get the food home to the kid. Excellent and sad and nice and good and wonderful...

Now where did all those bus tickets come from? What is the plan? How good do you wanna be? When will you be posing next?

Reading Carolyn's story sure reminds me of how much we have and how much we take for granted...looking forward to seeing what her plan is!!!

Oh, Kav!! You have me so excited! First with Jack and Sue's progress, now with Carolyn's wonderful day!! I can't wait for more.

And I sure hope whatever her Plan is it works out!

"Just friends?" Jack teased as Sue evaded more of his persistent questions about what was going on with Myles.

She laughed into his face, flushing at the warmth she saw in his brown eyes as he hung over the kitchen counter -- a little closer than was absolutely necessary. They had just finished mixing up the final batch of pancake batter and Sue was scraping the last dredges into a Tupperware container to bring with them tomorrow morning.

Jack had been an incorrigible tease the whole evening, and even Myles and Tara tagging along on their 'date' hadn't dimmed his spirits any. In fact, she was pretty sure that Myles had egged him on. They'd finally ditched 'their tail' as Jack referred to their unexpected shopping buddies by the time they brought everything back to Sue's place. Tara had wanted to stay and help with the preparations but Myles had convinced her to come home with him and make up a batch of muffins. She left reluctantly, worried that they were leaving Sue with a lion's share of the work.

"She has Jack," Myles had consoled, winking broadly at Sue behind Jack's back. Come to think of it, Myles had been in rather high spirits since he came back from lunch. The new maid must have exceeded his expectations. Tara had finally gone willingly when Myles mysteriously reminded her that she owed him a report.

Jack and Sue had worked in companionable silence, side by side in the kitchen. The fruit had been cut up and stored in individually sized disposal containers for easy distribution. A case of juice boxes lay beside the door, ready for Jack to bring down to his car when he was ready to go. Apples and raisin boxes were tucked together in Ziploc baggies for each child to take for their morning snack and the batter was finally done, safely stored in the fridge. There was nothing left to do, so Jack started teasing again.

"You're not going to get anything from me tonight, Jack," Sue told him firmly, if a little breathlessly as his face seemed to draw closer. It must be an optical illusion.

"But Myles was downright...nice...tonight. And you know what they say about the love of a good woman," he reminded her.

"You're impossible," Sue declared turning away before he could see how much his close proximity was affecting her.

His hand stopped her, closing over hers and pulling her flush against his body.

"Jack...what are you doing?" she asked inanely when he didn't immediately let go of her hand.

"Analytically reviewing all the clues," he said, lacing their fingers tightly together before raising their clasped hands into her view. "Clue #1, you're just friends with Myles and he holds your hand."

"Not really, just this afternoon because..." she pressed her lips together before she revealed too much.

"Aha, apparently for no good reason, except he is your friend," Jack waggled his eyebrows suggestively at her. "But, Thomas, I was your friend right from the start right? Even before you converted Myles to your way of thinking?"

Sue nodded mutely, distracted by the heat in his eyes and the delicious feeling of her hand encased in his larger one.

"So, I figure I should get at least the same privileges, such as --" he moved the hands between their bodies and flattened his palm against his chest, right over his heart. "Clue #2."

"Jack."

He wasn't sure if it was a question or an exclamation, but he knew he had her attention and he didn't intend to lose it any time soon.

"And though you've worked with Myles for three years and have been instrumental in making him more human, shall we say, I really think that if you were going to embrace anyone's heart it ought have been mine, given our history and all."

His eyes were now a deep chocolaty brown. Was that possible? Could someone's eyes change colour in a matter of seconds? And his look was...hot and intimate, bolding staring her down, not wandering from the truth she feared was shining back from her own eyes.

"Jack I wasn't embracing Myles' heart," she tried to explain. "I was trying to make a point, about him speaking from his heart, not his head...."

"Ah, is that what you like from a man? Confessions from here," he pressed her palm against his solidly sculpted chest and she shivered with reaction. He smiled triumphantly as his face hovered closer to hers. "Because if any man is going to give you confessions from the heart, Miss Thomas, I think I should get first crack at it, don't you? Our history again." He tapped her nose with his forefinger and smiled at her confusion.

"And if you were..." she swallowed hard and then licked her lips nervously, her eyes widening as his grew even darker. He seemed mesmerized by her mouth and her teeth automatically worried her lower lip. She felt a tremor shudder through his body, her hand capturing the rapid beating of his heart.

His had released hers and traveled to seek confirmation that he was affecting her in the same way. His fingers stroked her neck as he marvelled at the soft curves that had always held such allure. It took some inquisitive exploration before he located the rapid pulsing at the base of her throat. "Go on," he murmured, "you were about to ask a question."

His warmth enveloped her and the desire to melt into his arms was overwhelming. Unconsciously, her body sought his and the space between them lessened. "Um..." she wrinkled her nose in confusion before gathering a stray wisp of thought. "If you were going to confess from your heart, what would you say?"

Her throaty voice, a bare whisper, unravelled what little control he'd been hanging on to all together. He drew his face closer until he could feel the gentle tickle of her breath against his lips. "Let me show you." He dipped his head and their noses tangled for a second. He nuzzled her, smiling and then met his target more accurately the second try.

Warm, hot breath, the taste of spice, smooth firm lips pressed against hers. Impressions flitted through Sue's mind as she opened her lips beneath his increasingly demanding ones. His arms reached around her, spreading across her back, pressing their bodies tightly together, flattening her breasts against his chest.

Lucy chose that moment to boisterously arrive home, bubbling over with enthusiasm about their pet project after having visited her grandmother for the evening. She kept up a running commentary to Levi as she closed the door, hung up her jacket and made her way to the kitchen.

"Jack! I didn't know you would be here!" Lucy exclaimed in surprise and then looked from one flushed face to another as the pair stood stiffly side by side. "What's going on, did I interrupt something?" Her eyes were alight with curiosity.

Jack glanced over at Sue, and scooped her hand into his. "Nothing, just two friends catching up."

Oh my...what a delicious post that was, Kav! I found myself holding my breath as I read... Just wish that they hadn't been interrupted just then!

and then luce interrupts, if it's not phones it's people getting in the way of a good conversation or some making out

aaaagggggggghhhhhhhhh

cath

Carolyn finding the bus tickets is wonderful!! If anyone needs a gift from Heaven, it's her!!!

There's that interruption again!! But that's okay, Kav, I will definitely be smiling through vacuuming the livingroom this afternoon!!!

Joy

Seriously, sometimes I could just strangle Lucy! She has the worst timing of any character ever created in fanficdom!!!!! But up until Lucy's "oh so disappointing" entrance......HOT....TOTALLY HOT!! It's amazing how passionate a simple kiss can be!

I'm so glad that Carolyn found the bus tickets! Maybe she could even take Cassie with her tomorrow for the job (every kid needs a break from school sometimes and this is a teacher talkin' here). And wouldn't it be nice if Myles just accidently showed up too!

I LOVE THIS STORY!!!! MORE PLEASE.....MORE!!!

Myles thought that maybe he should pray now that it was the end of the day. From the heart Sue had said, and he thought he might be able to make a go of it except he wasn’t sure how to begin.

Almighty Father of All Mankind seemed too formal, but addressing Him as God – well he wasn’t so sure they were on a first name basis just yet but not calling Him anything was just plain rude. He mulled over the dilemma as he brushed his teeth but when the moment finally arrived he was faced with yet another one.

Kneel, stand or sit? He couldn’t bring himself to kneel down and standing seemed inappropriate so he sat on the side of his bed figuring that he would be all night worrying about a salutation that wouldn’t offend God. He finally settled on Sir, it denoted respect but not servitude, avoided the whole first name issue and certainly wasn’t ostentatious. He was sure Sue would approve. He almost called her to get her opinion, but it was late and he needed to do this on his own.

Sir,

You don’t know me very well and I apologize for being aloof all these years, but, I’ve been busy…no that wasn’t right, he shouldn’t be making excuses to God…All right not too busy for You, perhaps I just thought I was too busy to keep You abreast of my current situation. Tell the truth, Leland. All right, frankly I never felt You were a necessary component of my daily life and I never have given You much thought until Christmas rolled around each year and then it was only a fleeting one. I’m sorry about that, You obviously deserved better. I’m participating in this praying challenge that Reverent Brambles issued to her congregation yesterday. Not that I’m a member of her congregation or anything like that. I’m just visiting. Testing the waters so to speak. You would know all about that, right? Well anyway I have to pray to you every day until Easter. I’m not sure where this is going or what kind of result I’m even looking for here, however Reverent Brambles and Sue Thomas (I’m sure you two are on a first name basis) seem to think that Something will happen inside of me and I will know it. I’m not so confident of my intuitiveness myself, so any promptings you might want to give me in this regard would be most welcome.

Now I’m supposed to be praying for myself tonight, but as you well know I have absolutely everything I need. The silence of his solitude in his vast house suddenly seemed overwhelming. A vision of his large bed, empty but for himself now seemed disturbing and the décor in the guestroom seemed cold and very unchildlike. He snapped his mind back to the conversation at hand – it wouldn’t do to let his mind wander while conversing with God.

Sorry about my lapse, as I was saying, I have everything I need. Are you sure? Myles shifted uncomfortably, now that had not been his voice inside his head. God would think he had the attention span of a six-year-old. Cassie! He wondered where she was now – fast asleep probably after saying her prayers in that endearing little lisp of hers. And her mother? Was Carolyn asleep yet or was she still up seeing to her own household? Myles snapped back to attention once again. What must God be thinking of him?

Look, sorry for my lapses here, I must be more exhausted then I thought. I was just going to say that I really didn’t need anything else, I’ve made a fine living on my own. You might want to redirect any um…blessings…he squirmed at the audacity of thinking that God might be contemplating bestowing blessings on Myles Leland III…redirect those blessings (if there ever were any) to someone who needs them more. I was thinking specifically of Carolyn Stevenson and her daughter, Cassandra. Not that I’m trying to tell you your business or anything. It’s just a suggestion. Well that’s it I think, I’m sure this is your busiest time of the day, so I’ll let you go. Good night.

Opps missed another post.....

Myles is talking BUT not listening.......LISTEN..... prayer is a conversation....

Myles would probably be horrified to know that I find brushing my teeth the perfect opportunity to pray. Sorry too much information I'm sure...

Joy could you vacuum my living room also please? I will make you a dessert of your choosing.

I've come to the conclusion that like a shower scene, every good fanfic has its share of interruptions. Lucy generally seems to be the character for dramatic entrances too.

Looking forward to more!

Two posts to read when I got home! Woot!

Of course I loved the scene with Jack and Sue - in the kitchen. Magical things can happen in the kitchen! I'm so glad to see that Jack is feeling confident that Sue doesn't have the hots for Myles....

And Myles praying - poor guy. It won't be long until it feels perfectly natural - and extension of his thoughts and always just a whisper away.

Oooooo - I can't wait for more!

Kitchen and kisses

At least Myles is trying to pray, takes some time to get the hang of it if you're not used to it

Myles is so cute...trying so hard to get this praying business just right...won't be long til he gets the hang of it!!! I think he's doing a better job than he thinks.

As Myles prayed, it seemed as if God was placing upon his heart to pray for Carolyn.

The scene in the kitchen with Sue and Jack was beautiful.

Jack and Sue were just....HOT!!!

And Myles...well, for a first try this was not bad, not bad at all! He'll learn to listen, I'm sure! I think he already started to listen - his statement that he already has everything and the little voice will make him think ...

Kav,

Amazing writing.

Myles treated Carolyn perfectly, sensing that she needed the food and that she needed to take some home, and then that she wanted to be left alone to enjoy it, he really is becoming more sensitive, here's hoping it continues.

Glad Carolyn got some luck, amazing what a difference a hot meal makes to you if you are hungry and tired, I wonder if she would have spotted the tickets if she hadn't of eaten, looking forward to seeing what her plan is.

Jack and Sue - great!!! However Lucy needs to do some serious work on her timing!!!

Can't wait to read your next post(s)!!!

Soph

It was the most glorious evening she had ever spent. She was certain of that fact with every fibre of her being…and it all started with a bowl of stew.

Carolyn had been so excited and impatient to share her treasures she actually picked Cassie up five minutes before the dismissal bell, pulling the little girl out of line in the cloakroom. She wanted to catch the earlier bus and then the rest of the day unfolded like a magical adventure, Cassie as sublimely enthralled with her bus ride as if it had been a fantasy ride at Disneyworld. And the college campus might well have been a wonderland.

Carolyn felt a tug of excitement herself as they stepped on campus. She missed coming here, working part-time in the library and taking courses. She impressed her daughter with her ability to navigate the busy maze-like corridors, setting a fast pace to their final destination. The cafeteria.

Cassie's eyes widened in surprised amazement as her mother produced two bowls of delicious smelling stew and popped them into the public microwave ovens. Mother and daughter joyfully set the table while the stew heated. Cassie snitched a bite of bread when her mother wasn't looking and hopped up and down in such excitement that she nearly choked on the fluffy bread.

Carolyn would never forget that meal. What it felt like to sit at a table across from her daughter and compare notes about their day. She'd never forget the rosy glow on her daughter's face as she shovelled the tasty stew into her mouth. Pretending she was full, she begged Cassie to finish her bowl off as well. They each had half a muffin and Carolyn packed the other three away carefully, worried that too much food all at once might upset Cassie's system.

"Now what, Mummy?" her daughter asked when she could finally divert her attention from their dinner.

Carolyn smiled -- a contagious smile that soon flitted about Cassie's lips as well.

"Library!" they both said together.

Carolyn had spent an enjoyable hour visiting with some of the library staff while Cassie played educational games on the internet. Then they'd roamed the stacks together, pulling out books that interested them, both content to read independently for a while. Cassie chuckled over Dr. Seuss while Carolyn poured over home decorating books. Occasionally she would stop and show her daughter something.

"Look, that's like your tooth fairy man's kitchen."

or

"All right Princess Cassandra, which bed do you prefer for your royal boudoir? White canopy or maple four poster?"

They giggled and shushed one another, their heads bent together as they fashioned a dream house for them to live in. All too soon the lights flashed their warning and Cassie cried out in dismay. The same feeling penetrated Carolyn's euphoria. She wasn't ready to leave the fantasy of normalcy behind. And they didn't have to. Not this time, she thought as a daring plan formulated in her mind.

They hid in the media room, ducking in after the security guard made his rounds. Carolyn had closed the library two nights a week for two years and the routine still hadn't changed. She watched the clock and stayed hidden for fifteen minutes after closing. Cassie was a bit frightened of the deserted and darkened library, but her mother soon chased her fears away by leading her on a rowdy happy dance up and down the aisles. Exhausted and out of breath they made a quick trip to the washroom where Carolyn supervised her daughter's nightly ritual. They both used the bathroom and Cassie was thrilled with the idea of having a toilet right on hand when she woke up in the morning.

"I won't have to hold it until my tummy hurtth, Mummy," she predicted happily.

Carolyn knew where the key to the back office was kept and then it was a simple matter of unlocking the door to the director's private reception area. She tucked Cassie into bed on the director's couch, wrapping her in various shawls and lap quilts the librarian's kept at their desks.

"Sleep tight, munchkin," she had whispered into Cassie's ear when she kissed her good night.

"Thith hath been the betht day ever!" The little girl declared sleepily.

Carolyn stroked her fairy soft hair and watched the small rosebud mouth relax in sleep. Her daughter was right, her Jonah Day and turned into a Hallelujah Chorus...and all because of a bowl of stew!

i admire Myles efforts at praying,

i think we all get sidetracked and wonder what to say at times, or am i the only one who hasn't got prayer sorted

cath

ok, well i posted my last reply as you were posting yours

my heart aches for cassie and carolyn, can't imagine what it must be like to have to live like that

cath