While my muse was AWOL from best friends wedding I started this, hope you like;

Chapter 1

From: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
To; jh@fbidc.com
Re; wedding

Sent May 1st 15.00 PM

Jackson

Your brother tells me he has not received a reply regarding his wedding.

Are you coming and are you bringing someone?

Love

Mom

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Jack had read the email almost daily since it had arrived. Was he going to the wedding?

Probably, if he really had to.

Was he going to take anyone?

Unlikely.

He closed it down again as he noticed another email from his mom.



From: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
To; jh@fbidc.com
Re; wedding

Sent May 15th 10.00 AM

Jackson

I know you’re still alive as I received the birthday present.

Thank you, just what I wanted.

The wedding is less than 4 weeks away; Ben and Amy want to know if you will be there and if you are bringing anyone so they can arrange the tables.

Love Mom.

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Jack sighed and ran his hands through his hair; he really didn’t want to go to this wedding.

He loved his parents but 4 days in Vegas wasn’t his idea of heaven, in fact it was more like his idea of hell.

Hey LTS, glad you started a new one but don't forget Wedding, all right? LOL. Any case, a great start and Vegas, you say? I'm in for the ride!

Jack, think again! Who would you really want to take to the wedding as your 'date'? And Vegas, you said? Isn't that the place with all the wedding chappels? Hell can become heaven in a blink of the eye, Jackson!!!!

Great start looking forward to reading more

Cath, glad to see a new challenge from you!! Looks very interesting already!!!

Jack, this trip could be a blessing if the right person accompanies you!! Got any ideas???

Joy

Jack, you have to go... it's your brother's wedding!!!!! And I know about certain lovely blond who could go with you !!!!


Restie

Cool. Vegas??? Never been to Vegas, or the States for that matter. Oh well, there's always a first! more soon please! From Jenny

very interesting start! You know, Jack can always bring Sue to the wedding....

Chapter 2


Allie and Jack in a Vegas chapel……….. that could work………mmmmmmm might have to rethink this story now……………..


From: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
To; jh@fbidc.com
Re; wedding

Sent May 22nd 10.00 AM

Jackson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You still alive?

Ben wants you to let him know by tomorrow if you will be at the wedding.

Mom.

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From:bh@hugehotelvegas.com
To; jh@fbidc.com
Re; wedding

Sent; May 22nd 10.30 AM

Squirt.

Are you coming to the wedding and if so are you bringing anyone?

Might need a stand-in Best Man. Mike…………remember Mike? Kicked your butt a few times on the ice……….. might not be able to make it.

Great news Allie and her parents are coming…………

Ben

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Jack closed the email down……… now he definitely didn’t want to go.



From: jh@fbidc.com
To: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
Re; wedding

Sent: May 22nd 11.00 AM

Hi Mom

I’m still alive, just busy……….. still not sure about the wedding.

If I’m there I will be bringing someone.

Love Jack

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From: jh@fbidc.com
To:bh@hugehotelvegas.com
Re: wedding

Sent; May 22nd 11.10 AM

Ben

Still not sure about the wedding if I’m there I will be bringing someone.

Find another Stand-In

Will let you know tomorrow

Jack

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Oh Jack please make a decision soon Mind you if Allie's there but then again it is your brother's wedding. Where's Sue can't you take her?

Jack, just go ask her!! Are you scared of her??? If it help you, we all know she will say yes!!!

Joy

likewise..


Jack, just ask Sue already! It's not like you guys have been mistaken for as a couple before

Cath, glad to see another challenge story from you! I just found it and already you've posted 2 chapters! Great start! Looking forward to more!

Tracy

so, since there have been no strong objections to Jack and Allie in a Vegas chapel I can change my story line

From: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
To: jh@fbidc.com
Re: wedding

Sent: May 22nd 14.00 PM

Jack

Didn’t know you were dating.
Who is she?
Can’t wait to meet her.
Still think you and Allie would be good together. You know she’s going to be there don’t you?

Love Mom

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Jack’s heart headed down to his boots.

‘Heck, she thinks I’m dating and she still wants to set me up with Allie. What do I do now?’ he mumbled to no-one in particular.




From: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
To: bh@hugehotelvegas.com
Re: Jack

Sent: May 22nd 14.15 PM

Ben

Did you know Jack was dating?

Surprised me, kept that quiet.

Still Allie will be at the wedding……….. maybe we can still get them together, I may need your help.

Love Mom.

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From: bh@hugehotelvegas.com
To: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
Re: Jack

Sent: May 22nd 16.00 PM

Mom

No, I didn’t, but we aren’t exactly close

If he comes I’ll be surprised, if he brings anyone I’ll eat my hat.

I’ll do what I can……….

Love

Ben

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From: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
To; allie@nyadvertising.com
Re: Jackson Samuel Hudson

Sent: May 22nd 16.15PM

Allie,

You need to step it up a gear

If he goes, he’s taking someone with him – suggest tight, low cut and VERY hot

Irene Hudson.

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From: allie@nyadvertising.com
To: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
Re: Jackson Samuel Hudson

Sent: May 22nd 18.00 PM

Irene

Have just the thing

Who is he taking?

Allie

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From ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
To: allie@nyadvertising.com
Re; Jackson Samuel Hudson

Sent; May 22nd 19.00 PM

Allie

He didn’t say

Irene

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From: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
To: bh@hugehotelvegas.com
Re; Jackson Samuel Hudson

Sent: May 22nd 19.15 PM

Ben

Who is Jack bringing?

Love Mom.

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From: bh@hugehotelvegas.com
To: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
Re: Jackson Samuel Hudson

Sent: May 22nd 20.00 PM

No idea, as I said probably no-one

Love

Ben

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From: ih@somewhereinwisconsin.com
To: jh@fbidc.com
Re: Wedding

Sent; May 22nd 21.00PM

Jack

Who you bringing?

How long have you known her?

Is she good enough for you?

You know I only want to see you happy and settled

Mom

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‘Yeah………….. as long as it’s Allie, you mean’ Jack muttered through gritted teeth.

Then inspiration struck ……….. and then he changed his mind

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely no Allie, you hear me? Or rather read me? Strong enough of an objection??

I'm telling you, Jack should just bring Sue to make sure no one matchmakes him with Allie. And when the time is right, he proposes and Sue and him can get married in one of the many churches in Vegas!

A girl can dream..

you really think Sue would want a wedding in Vegas with none of their friends and family around........... if she were to marry?

allie i could see in a vegas chapel


cath

Who said Sue couldn't have one wedding in Vegas with Jack and another one when the happy couple come back to DC?

I think, I don't like Jack's mom... I don't like parents who try to organize their children's life... Jack, take Sue and be hot together. I definitely DON'T LIKE Allie (I hope you understand me WELL, Cath) ... Jack, it's time to show your mother, brother, family and ALLIE... it's your life and no one has a right to tell you what you should do !!!!!

Restie

You really do like teasing us, don't you?

Enjoying your story, though I could do without Allie!

Tracy

Cath, I didn't say anything before about Allie in a Vegas chapel, because I figured that if I kept silent you would forget about it!! NOW, FORGET ABOUT IT!!!

I agree with Mel - Jack and Sue can have two weddings!!!

Joy

Please make sure you bring Sue Jack

Chapter 3


From: jh@fbidc.com
To: st@fbidc.com
Re: dinner

Sent: May 23rd 09.00

Sue

You doing anything tonight?

Would you like to go for dinner?

I need a huge favour

Jack

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From: st@fbidc.com
To: jh@fbidc.com
Re: Dinner

Sent; May 23rd 09.15

Hi Jack

I’m free tonight.

Why are you emailing me? You usually just ask.

How big a favour?????????????????????????????????????????

Sue.

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From: jh@fbidc.com
To; st@fbidc.com
Re: Dinner

Sent: May 23rd 09.25 AM

Hi Sue

Reading emails; thought it would be quicker

Huge, massive enormous, out of this world favour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is that a ‘yes’ to dinner?

Jack

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From: allie@nyadvertising.com
To: jh@fbidc.com
Re: wedding

Sent: May 23rd 09.30

Hi handsome

Hear you’ll be at Ben’s wedding

Can’t wait to see you……..

Thought we could………………….

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As Jack read the email he began to turn a vivid shade of red, he had no desire to do any of what Allie was suggesting and he quickly deleted the email.


From: st@fbidc.com
To: jh@fbidc.com
Re: Dinner

Sent: May 23rd 10.00 AM

Jack

You Ok? You look a bit red faced.

Dinner looks great.

Want to tell me what the favour is in case I need to make sudden alternative arrangements for tonight?

Sue

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From:jh@fbidc.com
To: st@fbidc.com
Re: Dinner

Sent: May 23rd 10.10 AM

Tonight will be soon enough.

I’ll buy dinner and you can still say ‘no’

Mexican OK?

I’ll pick you up at 7.30.

Jack

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From: st@fbidc.com
To: jh@fbidc.com
Re: Dinner

Sent; May 23rd 10.15 AM

Jack

Looks good to me

Sue

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From; ld@fbidc.com
To: tw@fbidc.com
Re: lovebirds

Sent: May 23rd 10.30 AM

Tara

Jack and Sue are emailing each other

Hack them and find out why

Lucy

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From: tw@fbidc.com
To: ld@fbidc.com
Re: lovebirds

Sent; May 23rd 10.40 AM

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ask Sue if you want to know

Tara

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I think, Luce isn't fully occupied ... I am glad, Tara has a moral principles...

Great, Jack asked Sue for dinner and he wants to ask her to accompany him, GREAT !!!

+ I am really glad Jack deleted Allie's mail


Restie

Allie? Oh Sue -- say yes!!!
kav

Somehow I think Sue might like being asked to do this favor. Ask her, Jack.

Great post, Cath!

Tracy

Like the fact that Lucy was desperate to know what was going on

Yes, Sue, you must say yes to Jack - we CANNOT have Jack and Allie in Vegas alone!!!

Joy

Chapter 4

Dinner goes on for a while so I’m breaking it up into manageable posts

‘So………. what’s the favour that requires dinner and a large bouquet of beautiful flowers?’ Sue asked, looking deep into Jack’s very sexy, sultry brown eyes.

‘Errrrrrr………… ummmmmmmmmm ……….. my brother, Ben is getting married on June 3rd in Vegas……….. somehow my mom thinks I’m dating …….. she wants to meet her……. but Allie will be there and she wants me and Allie to get together……… I really don’t want to go but…………….’

‘So, what do you want me for?’ Sue was confused, Jack was dating?

‘I…….. err ….. was wondering …….. if I go will you come with me……..? I’ll pay for the flights, the hotel is free ……………’

Jack ground to a halt, this had sounded great in the pen when he’d had the idea……… now it just sounded lame.

‘You want me to be there as your date, your friend or your body guard?’

‘How about all 3?’ Jack asked hopefully.

‘Dinner, flights and flowers……….. not sure the payment is high enough for all 3……… can I take Levi?’

She grinned at him, her mind made up……. but it wouldn’t hurt to tease him a little.

‘Yeah, no problem…………’

‘Let me think about it, while we order………….’ she tilted her head a little and fluttered her eyes at him and he melted.

As they gave their order to the waitress who had tried flirting with Jack, turning away disappointed as he ignored her efforts, apparently having eyes only for the woman with him, Sue gave him an answer.

‘OK…………..’

‘Is that OK I’ll think about it and extract higher payment or OK I’ll do it and extract higher payment ……..or………….?’

‘It’s ‘OK I’ll do it…….. no higher payment necessary’…… can’t have you getting fixed up with Allie can we…….. ? Anyway it will make a change for me to come to your rescue instead of you rescuing me…………’

Sue’s smile caused him to melt even more, much more of this and he was going to be a puddle of mush on the carpet.

‘So……. what’s the plan then Hudson………?’ she asked while thinking how good it would be to have a few days away with him at a wedding.

His thoughts drifting to what it would be like to be with her away from DC he didn’t hear her and was roused from his very pleasant daydream by the touch of her hand on his arm.

‘Huh????????’

‘Jack Hudson, I hope you are going to be a whole lot more attentive at this wedding!!!’

‘Trust me, I will……I will be at your side hanging on your every word throughout…. What were you saying?’

Sue repeated the question.

‘I thought we could fly out early Wednesday evening……… land about 9.30……… Ben works in the gambling industry so the hotel is free since it’s linked to the casino he works in………... There’s a big family dinner Thursday night, then the stag do which involves hours at the casino………….. I’m not going to it, the casino I mean, not the dinner……… I don’t know what the women are doing………. Free time Thursday and Friday, apart from the rehearsal which we don’t need to attend, then the wedding is 12.00 Saturday……… fly home Sunday …………… Sue you don’t need to do this……….’

‘Will you go if I don’t?’

Jack shrugged, ‘probably not……….. for a number of reasons……….’

‘Wanna tell me why?’ Sue knew he didn’t talk much about his family, other than the comment about his moms’ cinnamon rolls and his great parents and solid start.

Jack shrugged again, trying to keep it casual, ‘I don’t get on great with Ben……. Never have…….. he’s a few years older than me…….. bullied me when we were kids…….. up until he left for college…then when he came home for holidays…….. never when mom or dad were around…. even now he has a vicious tongue…………………he was married to a lovely lady, Mary…. they had a daughter, Elizabeth… she’s 10 now. About 4 years ago he left them for a woman 12 years younger than him…….. they’d been having an affair……… Lizzie and Mary were devastated, as were mom and dad. It fizzled out eventually but he’s been seeing a string of women since……….. mostly he’s met them through work……… I can’t stand there as Best Man……… mom and dad are still hurt by it all……… if I go it will be for them………’

As she watched she could see the hurt in his eyes, ‘does he still see Lizzie?’

Jack shook his head again, ‘no…….. not interested. Mom and dad do……. At least twice a week, she’s a great kid………… Mary remarried 2 years ago to a great guy who treats Lizzie like his own……. The three of us went to the wedding……she’s expecting, as is Amy….. Ben’s fiancée………..’

Sue waited a while to see if Jack said anymore, sure there was something else.

When he remained silent, she pushed a little, ‘are those the only reasons you don’t want to go ………..?’

‘Allie will be there………….she and my mom have a plan hatched to get us together…………a plan they have been working on since we first dated.’


‘And you’re not interested……….?’

Jack shook his head firmly, ‘no way……………’

‘So, you want me to pretend we’re dating, is that it……..? Kinda like an undercover………..?

‘Yeah…….. that’s it…….. undercover…….. so then it wouldn’t really be a lie……’ Jack grinned at her, knowing she wasn’t keen on lying about anything.

‘Ok……… if the wedding is at 12.00, is there something in the evening? What do I need to take?’

Mentally flicking through her closet she had an idea of what she could wear and hoped it would be enough.

‘Yeah, there is…….. I think we break for about an hour to set up the room again at about 6 PM for an evening thing……….. sorry I haven’t really taken much notice so far……… I guess you need an outfit for the dinner, something for the wedding then a dress for the evening…….. if you need a new outfit I’ll buy it since you’re helping me out…………..’

Jack threw up a silent prayer that she wouldn’t ask him to go clothes shopping with her, one he hated shopping, and two he had no confidence in his ability to tell a woman if a dress looked awful.

He’d gone dress shopping with Allie once and she’d picked a dress that looked hideous but since she’d set her heart on it and sulked when he told her he didn’t like it, he said she looked good.

When her friends saw it they had been brutally honest and she’d turned on him, screaming at him for not being honest.

He’d given up trying then, although as far as he was concerned Sue could wear a dress made from rubbish sacks and she would still look wonderful.

His reverie was disturbed by Sue’s voice, ‘I’ve got a couple of dresses that I can wear……… I’ve not worn them for a while and my red dress for the evening………… that OK with you…….?’

Jack’s mind flew back to the bachelor auction and that red dress. Sue had looked stunning in it and felt good in his arms……… the few dances they’d shared hadn’t been enough.

‘Sure you don’t want something new…………?’

Sue shook her head, ‘no………I don’t believe in buying things just for the sake of it……….’

Getting lost in his dark brown eyes she wondered if attending a wedding with her might encourage him to share the feelings Luce was sure he had for her or if she would return to DC disappointed yet again.

‘And those are the only reasons you don’t want to go……….?’ She could tell by his face that there was something else behind all this.

‘Guess it’s the whole gambling thing………. I’ve seen too many lives wrecked or nearly wrecked by gambling…….. the thought of 4 days in a casino and hotel fills me with dread………….’ Jack looked down at the table, his thoughts flooded with memories of Bobby.

‘You mean like Bobby………….?’ Sue whispered, touching his arm lightly.

‘You knew……….?’ Jack’s head snapped up to look at her, ‘How……..?’

‘You forget…, I pick up on non-verbal clues ……. I knew you were concerned about something in Ted’s office……… my suspicions were confirmed when you sent me back to the pen and talked to Bobby…….. then you were more than a little distracted during the case even though you were worried about Levi ………. When the case was over I saw you talking to Bobby by the coffee machine……………… you were a good friend to him Jack and I think you are still being a good friend to him………….’

‘I had no idea you knew……… whoever you marry had better be good at keeping secrets from you…………’

‘I don’t think I’d want a husband who wanted to keep secrets, Jack…….’ she murmured.

‘Sorry, probably the wrong word………… I was thinking of good secrets, like a romantic weekend away……..’ Jack persisted.

‘You mean good surprises, I could live with that……….’

‘So, why did you never say anything?’ Jack asked her quietly.

‘I figured if you needed to talk you would find me but it wasn’t for me to know or ask about………………’

Clearing their plates the waitress took their order for dessert and Sue changed the subject since Jack was beginning to look a bit low, there would be another time to talk about Ben, Allie and Bobby.

So Sue's going with Jack to Vegas?? Ha! Eat that, Allie!

I have a bit of catching up to do, but I wanted to comment on this. In the long run, does it really really matter where and how you get married? Maybe I have it all wrong, but I was under the impression that it is the marriage that is important, not the wedding. Surely in years to come it will be the 'why' and not the 'how' that matters.

I am glad Sue decided to go with Jack... it's really hard test of life for him and I am sure she will be protecting him well... I hope she will sweep Allie up

I can't wait for more!!!!


Restie

yeah, i agre it is the marriage that matters but i guess i've always imagined that Sue would want to marry in church with her friends and family present to celebrate with her and have Luce and Tara to help plan it etc

cath

Great long post and yay she agreed to help him

I'm glad Sue is going with Jack!! I think this is going to be good for them - Jack might just take that first step!!!

I agree, Cath, that Sue would probably want to get married in a church with family and friends, but couldn't she and Jack get married in Vegas and then have a church wedding when they get home???

Joy

sorry jack isn't going to take the first step and there will be no vegas wedding for them

cath

Cath, you could have left me something to dream about!!!

Sue is going to take the first step then???

Joy

yeah. Maybe some lovely fuzzies while they are in Vegas???????? *Jenny brushes up on happy dance* More soon please! Loved the e-mails by the way!

Jennifer

maybe Allie will make the first move!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cath

Cath, quit it!!! You're a little tease today, aren't you???

Joy

oh !! just wait and see !! what hotel are they staying at!!!


allie you really should have a bag packed !! darling cause sue ain't going NO WHERE!!


cath !! BE NICE!!

I’m not posting twice a day I don’t have enough posts ready for that, I’m posting in the evenings for the next 4 days as my shifts have changed, instead of starting work at 8 AM I now start at 7 which doesn’t give me time to post before I leave the house. I am so not a morning person


‘If we were dating Jack, you would have a sign name and I would give you a special sign that only I would use, like when I called you ‘honey’………’

‘Sounds good….. so what would my sign name be?’

‘Usually you finger spell your name then follow it with a sign that says something about you……. Could be a hobby, a quirk…… your job…… so you might spell J-A-C-K then show straightening papers or untwisting paperclips……’

Sue grinned at him making the signs as she spoke; her head cocked to one side as he then tapped her on the hands.

‘That’s enough of that Miss Thomas…….. remember I’m your training agent and you are not supposed to take the mickey out of me……….’ he grinned at her as he spoke.

‘Is that so training agent Hudson……. So I guess you don’t like either of those signs then………‘ she raised her eyebrows at him.

‘How about ‘ice hockey’?’

Sue showed him the sign and he nodded.

‘So, what’s your sign?’

‘Either S-U-E then ‘ice skating’ or S-T-F-B-eye,’ she pointed to her eyes as she spoke, watching him nod in understanding.

After they had eaten dessert, Jack asked quietly, ‘so what would my special sign be?’

‘I think this……….. J-A-C-K……..’ she pointed to her heart then made the sign for friend. ‘Jack heart friend’………..it’s more than boyfriend……. deeper……. implies our hearts beat as one…… we share deep things………..’

Watching him swallow hard, she placed her hands over his and looked into his eyes which were looking a little damp.

Releasing his hands she signed ‘OK- YOU?’

‘SIGN – BEAUTIFUL -TOUCH - ME - HERE’ he signed pointing to his heart.

‘I -YOU –GIVE- SPECIAL- SIGN?’ he signed raising his eyebrows.

‘YOU - WANT -YES’

‘SAME –SIGN- USE?’

‘YOU -WANT -YES’

‘S-U-E beautiful - heart - friend’ he signed, looking deep into her hazel eyes.

Now it was Sues’ turn to have tears in her eyes.

Cath, I love it - I have tears in my eyes too!!!

Joy

That was beautiful. I love their sepcial sign names! Please post more soon!

And cath, don't worry about it, I'm not a morning person either. I barely grunt a good morning to anyone-
I wake up at quarter to seven for school.
But I'll be ready and waiting for any posts you can make!

beautiful

Cath, it's so sweet... I can't wait to see them as a couple... I am very sure they won't have any problem to pretend it


Restie

That's a nice way to greet the day and nicely counters the angst abounding in other places on the board!
kav

That was indeed beautiful.

advance notice, sorry unlikely to post this side of monday evening, my 13 1/2 hour working day is now 14 1/2 hrs, plus driving to and from which makes it almost 16 hrs, did one today have 2 more saturday and sunday plus some hours monday so just have time to read before hitting my bed

cath

will post extra when i get to it