The Nomination:

This short scene was simple, yet very touching...giving us a glimpse into a possible future for Jack and Sue as a couple. Even though they aren't actually in the same place, through the entire scene their connection is incredibly strong. I thought it would be a nice addition to the Showcase!

"Goodnight, Sweetheart"

Sue looked up from the book she had been reading as a furry paw tapped her thigh. Levi barked and headed towards the phone, indicating that it was ringing. Smiling, Sue set her novel on the lamp table and slowly stood up, a hand going to her sore back in the process. Reaching the small desk, she sat gratefully into the adjoining chair and reached out to rub Levi’s head as she answered the phone with a quiet, “Hello?”

“Hey Sweetheart. How’re you doing?” Sue’s entire face brightened at the words that appeared on the screen.

“Jack. You just called three hours ago.”

“What? Now there’s a time restraint between calls?” Even though she couldn’t hear it, Sue could picture the expression of false indignation on his face. “Really, here I am trying to be the dutiful and caring husband so many other women would kill to have…” He smiled in satisfaction at hearing her laughter on the other line. It had been less than a week and he was missing her terribly.

“Yes, yes, you’ve already made it abundantly clear how lucky I am.”

“Good to know.”

“We are however, going to have words about that tub of strawberry cheesecake ice cream that’s missing from the freezer.” She giggled as she noted the delay in his response.

“Don’t suppose you’ll buy the ‘our dog ate it’ excuse?”

“I’m sure he helped. You do spoil him rotten.” Sue shook her head in a mixture of amusement and resignation. Jack had become impossible when it came to Levi and treats, the two of them were such a pair. She had had to even ban ice cream for a full month last year, although she noticed a suspicious looking yogurt tub the following week at the back of the freezer, though she had chosen not to comment on it since Jack had been sweet enough to get her a box of her favourite chocolate as an apology gift.

“Come on, us guys have to stick together, isn’t that right Buddy?” Jack knew that Levi would be at his proud post next to Sue, and was rewarded with a loud bark as though in response. “See?” The smugness was apparent even in the typed words.

“Hmph. That’s hardly fair as I’m outnumbered and slightly incapacitated.”

She could have kicked herself for saying that as Jack’s next words filled the screen, “Hey, are you okay? You’re resting aren’t you? Do you need me to call Lucy and ask her to stay with you until I get back?”

“Jack honey, I’m fine. You know I’m fine. I’m as fine as I was when you called three hours ago. And the five hours before that. And the night before that. Just as I was before your flight. Honest.” Her tone was gentle, letting him know that she wasn’t exasperated as much as she was amused at his great concern. “Although I do wish you were here.”

“Me too.” His voice had also softened. It had only been three days and already he was wishing he was back home, Bobby would’ve had a field day if had known, not that Jack particularly cared much as it was usually blatantly clear to anyone how crazy he was about his wife. Asking their mutual friends, it had been obvious to everyone else before even he had realized it. Although he took a small measure of satisfaction in knowing that Sue had been just as slow on the uptake, at least when it came to admitting their feelings.

There was a silence between them as they each silently prayed that the physical distance between them would evaporate.

“Two more days, right?” Sue questioned, her finger toying with the phone cord.

“Actually more like 45 hours, 37 minutes and 23 seconds…22 seconds. But who’s counting?” Jack was glad at her small giggle as it made his heart feel a bit lighter. “The kids still up? I’d like to say goodnight.”

Sue bit her lip before answering, hating the self-doubt that she knew echoed in her words, “Jack, you know there’s a chance they can’t hear you.” His response, almost automatic, but no less filled with conviction, made her love him all the more,

“It doesn’t matter. They can still feel it. Feel us.”

Sue blinked back her tears as she nodded, knowing he couldn’t see her. “Yes, they can. Hang on, I’ll put them on the line.”

Jack waited for a few seconds, while he visualized Sue moving to hold the receiver to her swollen abdomen. After another beat he began to speak, glad that she could read his words to their unborn twins so that she knew exactly how much he loved all three of them.

They had repeated this ritual every time he had called, this being the first time during her pregnancy that Jack had been called away to work out of state. And as he told their children about his exploits in New York, of all the places he would take them as soon as they were old enough so that all four of them could go on a real family vacation; of the hockey game that the Rangers had dominated, how big Yankee stadium really was, the museums that displayed some of the most beautiful works and of the hot dog stands at which they could spoil their dinners (as long as they didn’t tell their mother, of course), Sue felt the tears slip down her cheeks. To have found a friend who understood her so completely, to have that friendship blossom into a love that filled every fibre of her being, to have that love grow into the creation of new life…she had never felt so blessed than in that one moment in time.

With her free hand, she reached for a tissue from the box that Levi, upon seeing her tears, had brought her. She saw that Jack was saying his goodbyes and smiled at his parting words,

“Now you be good for your mom okay? She doesn’t do so well with the backaches, so ease up a bit on all that kicking, hmm? Oh, and I’m counting on you two to keep her out of trouble, and make sure to keep on eye on Uncle Bobby when you’re in the office. I get the distinct feeling that he’s been pinching some of my favourite pens. Goodnight kids. Daddy loves you so much, and he misses you every single second. Now let your mom back on the line so she can tell Daddy what a sentimental fool he is.”

As per his instructions, Sue brought the phone back up to her lips and said in a most serious fashion, “Jackson Samuel Hudson, you are a sentimental fool. Must be one of the reasons I love you so much.”

Jack laughed and wished he could kiss that smug look off her face, “I love you too Sue Marie Hudson. Take care of yourself and I’ll see you in a few days.”

“I’ll be looking forward to your call in,” Sue pretended to check her watch, “about four hours, now?”

“Funny. Goodnight Sweetheart. Give my love to everyone, especially Levi.”

“I will. Goodnight Jack.”

Sue replaced the receiver in its hook and sighed, unconsciously reaching down to pet Levi’s head. Two days seemed so far away. She gasped and looked down, feeling one of the twins responding to the other’s kick. Smiling, Sue gently rubbed her stomach, while she stood to slowly make her way to the kitchen, “Yeah, I can’t wait until he’s home either. Come on, maybe we can finish off the rocky road before then.”


FIN

You can find this story, and all of SkyeBanshee's other stories here in her archive page. Comments are always welcome!