JF, now that you mention it, I have noticed that...
And the problem with that is...? You'll have to help me out here, JF...I'm not seeing the problem...

Joy, I gotta ask, am I in the running with yhm for the "Queen of the Sni" contest yet?

Thanks for the replies, y'all!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Though many might chose to make this a private moment, just between the two of them, Jack decided because of the high importance Sue places on family and friends, that she would love for them to be part of this momentous occasion. So, he had invited the entire team, and D's wife, Donna, and their children Tanya and Davey, as well. Both Sue's and Jack's parents would also be flying in to witness the event.

Tracy, I'm sorry, but Yhm still has you beat!! You're becoming a fast second though!!!

Boy, Jack is really going to do this up big!!!

Joy

Joy, I didn't actually think I would beat Yhm! She's far better than me!!! But a fast second, you say? YAY! What an honor!!! Thanks!

OY !!! Concentrate on writing your story, will you, Tracy? Or I'll have to write 'em even shorter to hang on to my crown ...

Well, considering how long it has taken him, I think he might as well go whole-hog with the proposal.

kav

can't wait for the proposal

cath

Me too!!! Tracy, can we please have a contest for longest post??? crazy4stfbe and yhm are competing for sni-'s so if I come up with a REALLY long post, will you return the favour????Pretty please??? I'm honoured to be included too!! Y'all are ssoooooo funny!!! So what do ya say Tracy??? Are you in??? Any other writers can join in too!! Me thinks we'll make readers very happy!! More soon please Tracy!!

Jen

Okay, I don't want anyone going into shock here...so, I'm going to warn you that the remaining posts are going to be longer than you're used to on this story! I hope that's okay with everyone! If not, let me know, and I'll see if I can divide them up into shorter pieces! It's the weekend, so I have more time to edit what I already have and to write what I haven't written!

Anyway, I'll leave the writing/posting of the 'sni-'s to the expert!!!!
At least for now.... "

Thanks for all the comments, y'all!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He had rented a skybox at the baseball stadium, so they could all enjoy the baseball game and fireworks in air-conditioned comfort. Another reason for renting a skybox was so that their special moment could be more private than it would be in regular stadium seating. He had also arranged catering for the event, all the traditional 4th of July picnic fare -- hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ, potato chips, baked beans, potato salad, and apple pie. And, of course, there would be peanuts and popcorn, the traditional baseball fare.

There was a huge 4th of July fireworks display planned for after the end of the game. However, stadium officials had also arranged to have a few small rounds of fireworks go off directly over the scoreboard, at strategic times, in order to draw people's attention to the scoreboard. It was especially important that a certain lovely lady's attention was drawn to the scoreboard.

"Man, would it be embarrassing if, for some reason, she missed it!" he thought with a nervous chuckle.

Slipping the ring box into the pocket of his pants, Jack headed out the door of his apartment with a huge smile upon his face. He was headed over to Sue's and Lucy's apartment to pick them up and take them to the stadium with him. The rest of the team would be meeting them at the stadium. Sue's and Jack's parents would be joining them later in the game, unbeknownst to Sue, of course.

He really is all American!!!! I'm in shock, but it's GOOD shock!!! Me is not sure about the 'at least for now " ' bit. This is so original Tracy!!!!! Proposing at a ball game!!!! How cool!!! In England, we don't have that, only football matches, cricket etc. Nice to be different!!!

Great post!!

Jen

Jacks really going all out!

This is sooooooooo romantic! and I'm shocked by the long post! I'm more then ready for more!

Jack, I'm sure Sue will see it and you can complete your master plan...

This is going to be very good!!! There's nothing more adorable than a determined Jack!! Of course, there's the serious Jack, the happy Jack, the sleeping Jack, the confused Jack.........!!!

Tracy, it's going to be hard, but we will sweat out the longer posts with you!!!

Joy

This is so romantic, and even extra romantic for a baseball fan like me!

Tracy, I think the story post was longer than the author's note that time!

Scary thought!!

Well, if you have a problem with it, I could revert back to shorter posts...I aim to please!

Tracy!!!!!! We're being sarcastic!!! And looney. We're crazy, don't listen to any ideas that provoke that reaction!!!!!! Tu ecrire fuzzies s'il vous plait!!!!! Sorry, in French mood now!!!! It means you write fuzzies please!!! Tracy, come back!!!! And a nice long post please!!!

Jen

so romantic

please keep long posts coming, i love lots rto read after work

cath

No problem whatsoever Tracy! Except maybe that you haven't posted again yet...okay, okay, I suppose I'm being a little too demanding here

Woo hoo. Jack is really going for broke. Good for him!!!

You know, I hate to spoil the mood but I desperately need to know, Tracy: Sue isn't going to run from all the attention, is she? She'll say yes, right? I couldn't bear it if she ran ...

JF, me doesn't think you're being too demanding, or if you are, I am too!!!! Yhm, that's a scary idea!!!! tracy, think fuzzy thoughts and the words 'Yes Jack I'll marry you' Okay?? *nods* *sits on floor and waits for post* Hey, who's hogging the popcorn??? He he he!!!

Jen

Ohhhh! A public declaration! I was at a skating competition once and a guy proposed -- well the emcee did the talking as they were way up in the nosebleed seats. You gotta know it's true love when a guy takes a girl to figure skating. They had their names flashing on the scoreboard.

kav

QUOTE(suesfan @ Jul 8 2006, 02:46 PM)

There's nothing more adorable than a determined Jack!!  Of course, there's the serious Jack, the happy Jack, the sleeping Jack, the confused Jack.........!!!

...the pensive Jack, the flirty Jack, the joking Jack, ooh, the laughing Jack...

Okay, let me just summarize...there's nothing more adorable than Jack!!!!! Except maybe Jack with a baby!

QUOTE

Tracy, it's going to be hard, but we will sweat out the longer posts with you!!!

Thanks, Joy, and everyone else, for your sacrifice! I appreciate it!

QUOTE(yhm @ Jul 9 2006, 12:55 AM)

You know, I hate to spoil the mood but I desperately need to know, Tracy: Sue isn't going to run from all the attention, is she? She'll say yes, right? I couldn't bear it if she ran ... 

You know, yhm, I desperately need to know what's going on with Jack and Sue in your story, but I guess I'm just going to have to wait... "

Sorry, I didn't post sooner y'all! I probably should have mentioned the possibility that with the longer posts, I might not be able to post as often!

Thanks for all the comments! I'm so glad you're enjoying this!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Arriving at Sue's and Lucy's apartment, Jack knocked on the door. Sue answered the door, having been alerted of Jack's arrival by Levi.

"Hello, beautiful!" Jack said, as he entered and closed the door behind him.

"Hello, handsome!" Sue responded, as she put her arms around his neck and kissed him.

As Lucy entered the living room a short time later, she cleared her throat to get Jack's attention. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, Jack looked up at Lucy with irritation, "What, Lucy?"

"Ummm, shouldn't we be leaving soon?" Lucy asked.

Jack looked at his watch, "Yeah, I guess so!"

"So, are you ready?" he asked.

"You bet!" Lucy exclaimed excitedly.

Sue looked at Lucy in confusion, "Why are you soooo excited, Luce?" Turning to Jack, Sue said, "She's been giddy all day! I don't know what's gotten in to her! You'd think there was a sale at our favorite shoe store or something!"

Jack shot Lucy a look, unnoticed by Sue, letting her know she had better not spoil the surprise. The truth was, though, Jack had to give Lucy a lot of credit. It was truly amazing that she had managed to keep this a secret from Sue for so long. It must be absolutely killing her! He had initially hesitated consulting her, because he was afraid she would end up spilling the beans. However, Lucy knew Sue better than just about anybody else, and he wanted to insure that everything was perfect. She had even helped him find the perfect engagement ring, one that Sue would absolutely love!

"Sue, why aren't you more excited?" Lucy asked, watching in amusement as Jack fidgeted. Lucy was slightly offended that Jack would think that she might spoil the surprise! Sure, it was hard to keep this big a secret from Sue for so long, but she wasn't about to spoil one of the most important days of her best friend's life!

"We live in the United States of America! It's the 4th of July! We're going to a baseball game with all our friends! We get to sit in an air-conditioned skybox to watch the game! There's going to be a bunch of great food! And to top it all off..." she looked at Jack with a huge grin, as he glared at her "there's going to be a HUGE fireworks show at the end of the game!"

"Well, when you put it that way, I guess I can see why you're so excited! It IS going to be alot of fun! I've never gotten to sit in a skybox at a baseball game before!" Sue said to Lucy.

"By the way, Jack", Sue said "it was very sweet of you to do all this...and to invite the whole team! It must have cost a fortune!"

"No problem!" Jack said and signed. "You know me, I love the 4th of July, and I love sharing it with the people I love the most!" he said with a wink.

There was a knock at the door. "Door...must be Charlie...I'll get it!" Lucy said and signed to Sue.

Charlie had agreed to watch after Levi while they were at the baseball game. They thought it best to leave Levi at home, rather than drag him to a crowded stadium with a bunch of loud fireworks. Plus, though Sue wasn't aware of it, it would be a lot easier to pull off the surprise without Levi around to alert Sue of certain things!

"Hey, Charlie! Happy 4th of July!" Sue said as he entered the living room. She gave him a big hug and said "Thanks for watching Levi while we're gone! We really appreciate it! Make yourself at home...there's plenty of food in the fridge."

"Thanks! You kids have a great time! Something tells me this is going to be a very memorable 4th of July for you all!" Charlie said giving Jack a knowing look.

"We should be going now." Jack said, as he took Sue's hand in his to lead her out the door.

i'm impressed Lucy's kept quiet this long, it must be killing her

cath

WOW *Jen falls off chair at sight of long post* *shakes head and bounces up and down* :bounce: Me can't wait for the ball game!!! Aren't these smilies cool?!?!?! Great how he involved everyone, and I love Lucy's determination!!!!

jen

That was a good sized post, Tracy!!

Lucy, I'm proud of you too!! Now, if you can just keep the jumping up and down to a minimum for a few more hours......!!!

Joy

For some funny reason, the song Take Me Out to the Ball Game, keeps going through my head. Jack has worked so hard on this. What a guy.

I WANT A JACK!! (had to get that out )

Sigh -- this is going to be good....very good....as long as she says yes!
kav

Glad you noticed, Joy!

QUOTE(Ivory @ Jul 9 2006, 01:10 PM)

For some funny reason, the song Take Me Out to the Ball Game, keeps going through my head.

You hear that too? I thought it was just me!

QUOTE(wicked and welsh @ Jul 9 2006, 01:24 PM)

I WANT A JACK!!    (had to get that out  )

ME too, Wicked and Welsh!!!!

Thanks for all the great replies y'all!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arriving at the stadium, Jack, Sue, and Lucy quickly found the rest of the team, at the agreed upon meeting place, in front of the stadium. They all made their way up to the skybox, just 15 minutes before the start of the game.

As they entered the skybox, they were all in awe. It was comfortably air-conditioned, a sharp contrast to, and wonderful escape from, the horrible, sweltering summer heat outside. There was a long table, covered with a 4th of July themed tablecloth, and a huge buffet-style spread of wonderful picnic food, plates, silverware, cups, drinks, and napkins.

"Just help yourselves! There's plenty for everyone!" Jack said with a smile, pleased that everything was so well-prepared.

"You're not kidding!! There's enough here to feed an army!" Tara declared.

"Yep!" everyone agreed, as they gathered around the table to prepare their plates.

"Jack, thanks again for doing all this and inviting all of us! It was very generous of you!" Donna said.

"Yeah, Jack, thanks!" Davey and Tanya added.

"Thanks, Jack!" everyone else chimed in, causing Jack to blush slightly.

"It's no big deal, guys! I love the 4th of July and couldn't think of anything I'd like to do more than spend it with you all watching a baseball game and enjoying great food!"

Making sure Sue was unable to read his lips, Bobby walked over to Jack and slapped him on the back, a huge mischievious, dimpled grin forming on his face. "No big deal, Sparky?!" Bobby declared. "This must have cost a fortune! Surely, you have an ulterior motive for doing all this? Perhaps you're planning on something extra special for a very lovely Sheila?"

"Cut it out, Crash!" Jack said through gritted teeth.

"Don't worry, mate! I made sure Sue couldn't read me! I'm not going to spoil the surprise! Just wanted to have a little fun!" Bobby said.

"Jack, you want me to get you a plate of food?" Sue asked, after fixing one for herself.

"No, thank you, I'll get it!" Jack said.

"You better hurry, the game is about to begin!" she responded.

Soon after, they all stood at attention as the National Anthem was played.

Then, as the game began, they all settled in to watch it and enjoy their food.

*falls at sight of really long post* Right, I'm upright again!!! Tracy, WELL DONE on doing such a long post!!!!! Congrats!!!!! You have made my day!!!! Bobby teasing was sooo funny!!!! Me can't wait for more!!!!! *goes off to find american flag smilie again*

great long post!!!!

Jen:)

Really enjoyed the long post, Tracy and I can't wait to see how Sue will react!

Sorry, this is not a story post! I'm on my lunch break, and it's almost over. It will probably be tonight or tomorrow morning before another story post. Just wanted to say that as it is written now, I believe there is only one post left -- a long one, longer than the two previous ones have been. However, seeing as how Jen keeps falling at the sight of long posts, I'm concerned for her well-being and am considering trying to find a way to divide it up. What do y'all think? I really don't want to be responsible for Jen being seriously injured!

BTW, it's not like I haven't written long story posts before. If you don't believe me, check out some of my other stories. My Spring Cleaning story had some very long posts, if I remember correctly.

Tracy, I really like my floor. Don't worry about my wellbeing, my mum's was a nurse!!! But my wellbeing will be seriously damaged without another post!!!! Don't divide it up!! Please???

jen

Tracy, it's almost dinner time here and I read your last post!! Now I'm starving for hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, etc., etc.!!!

Don't worry about Jen - we will put pillows all around her and make sure she's cusioned!! Bring it on!!!

Joy

You got me all excited, I wanna know what happens next

don't worry about jen, if she hits the floor we can just roll her up into a corner until she is fully recovered!!!

sorry jen didn't mean it nastily

cath

It's the bottom of the second. The bases are loaded. Number 24, Jack Hudson, is walking up to the plate. He takes a few practice swings. He steps up to the plate. The pitcher checks second, winds up...and throws.

Come on, Hudson, knock it out of the park.

I wonder what inning Jack has planned for the big screen to ask his question?

Well I'm ready for a loooonnnnngggggg one. Suesfan, can you pass the potato salda please?

kav

QUOTE(suesfan @ Jul 10 2006, 04:13 PM)

Tracy, it's almost dinner time here and I read your last post!!  Now I'm starving for hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, etc., etc.!!!

Good, then I did my job!

QUOTE(learningtosign @ Jul 10 2006, 04:46 PM)

don't worry about jen, if she hits the floor we can just roll her up into a corner until she is fully recovered!!!

sorry jen didn't mean it nastily

cath

Thanks for the laugh, Cath! I needed that!

Ivory, love your reply!

rats......... thought you'd posted then

glad i made you laugh, email if you like

cath

Okay, y'all have assured me that Jen will be okay, so I'll post the last post, as is. If she injures herself, it is not my fault!

Do y'all have any idea the logistics involved in planning such an elaborate operation? Let me tell ya, it's not easy! I'm hoping this works out well and that y'all enjoy it! Now, on with "Operation Proposal"...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later in the game, during the third inning, Jack excused himself for a while, saying to Sue "Please make sure you pay special attention to the game, so you can let me know exactly what I missed!"

"Okay!" she responded.

Jack left the skybox to meet his and Sue's parents and bring them in at the appropriate time.

A short time later, both Sue and Lucy stood up to stretch, as Jack was sneaking back into the skybox with his and Sue's parents. Just as Sue was about to decide to turn around and see if Jack was back yet, something in the sky drew her attention to it.

"Hey, look over there -- fireworks!" Sue pointed out to everyone. I didn't think they were doing any fireworks until after the game." she said, as she observed the fireworks directly above the scoreboard, unaware that each member of the team was waiting with bated breathe to see her reaction to Jack's proposal. She was also unaware that her and Jack's parents had quietly slipped into the skybox with Jack.

"Oh, look...at the scoreboard...there's a message..." Sue said as she read the message being displayed on the scoreboard.



SUE

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

JACK



"Oh, wow, someone's proposing! Isn't that sweet? Hmmm, Sue... Jack..." she said, a perplexed look upon her face. Sue could see a multitude of people in the stadium stands standing and applauding, and she could feel the vibrations of their applause. Lucy, who was standing beside Sue, could barely contain herself any longer, a huge smile spread across her face, as she waited for Sue to react.

Sue's eyes suddenly grew wide, and she let out a small gasp, then quickly covered her mouth with her right hand, as realization began to creep in. She looked over at Lucy, who confirmed her suspicions when she started excitedly shaking her head and jumping up and down.

Sue then whirled around, first catching sight of both her and Jack's parents, huge grins upon their faces. She guessed they had just recently entered the skybox, so as not to spoil the surprise. Her eyes, which were beginning to well up with tears, then moved downward, directly in front of her, to Jack, who was down on bended knee, holding a ring box in his left hand. He opened the box to reveal the most beautiful engagement ring she had ever seen.


He took hold of her left hand with his right hand, and said:

"Sue, I love you with all my heart! You are the most beautiful and amazing woman I have ever known! I don't know what I would do without you in my life! You are truly a gift from God, the best blessing I have ever received! Because of you, I am a better person. My biggest regret in life is not telling you sooner that I love you. The last couple of months, since we started dating...it's been the absolute happiest time in my life. Sue, there is nothing I want more in life than for you to be my wife and the mother of my children. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?"


Tears of joy streaming down her face, Sue finally managed to find her voice and say "YES! Of course, I will! I love you, Jack!".

A huge smile enveloped Jack's face as he playfully wiped his brow and exclaimed "Whew! That's a relief!"

In response, Sue let out a small giggle and asked, "Was there ever any doubt?"

"No, not really!" he said with a wink, as he stood to hug and kiss her. He then took the ring from its box and slipped it onto her trembling ring finger. It was the perfect fit and looked stunning upon her hand. It was a 14K white gold engagement ring, 1-1/2 carat marquise-cut diamond, set into a swept-prong design, surrounded by five round channel-set diamonds on both sides. Still stunned by the proposal, Sue stood just staring at the ring for a while.

"Woohoo!!!!" exclaimed Bobby. "Way to go, Sparky!" Everyone in the skybox was clapping and smiling, overjoyed that their favorite couple was now finally engaged. They all surrounded Jack and Sue to hug them and offer their personal congratulations.

The door of the skybox opened and a young man, a stadium employee, poked his head in, "So, what did she say, sir?"

"She said YES!" everyone in the skybox declared excitedly.

"Great, I'll let stadium officials know right away!" he responded and closed the door.

Sue looked at Jack in confusion, "Why do stadium officials want to know?"

Jack smiled and winked at Sue, then said "You'll see later!"

"There's more?" Sue asked, surprised. "How could there possibly be more?"

"So, do you like the ring?" Jack asked.

Sue looked at her ring and said "Are you kidding? I love it! Hey, wait, you're changing the subject! What am I going to see later?"

"So, when do you want to get married? I'm kind of hoping for a short engagement! What about you?" he asked, then smiled and winked at her.

"How does five months sound -- December? I've always dreamed of a Christmas wedding."

"Well, I was kind of hoping for sooner than 5 months, but if you've always dreamed of a Christmas wedding, then a Christmas wedding you shall have, my dear!" Jack responded with a grin.

"You're just trying to distract me from asking questions about later, aren't you?" Sue asked.

"Is it working? I can think of other ways to distract you, as well!" he said raising and lowering his eyebrows flirtatiously.

"Oh you can, can you?" Sue asked. "I think I'd like to see that!" she declared flirtatiously.

"Your wish is my command, my dear!" he said, before embracing her and kissing her tenderly. Realizing that there were many people in the skybox, including their parents, they reluctantly pulled themselves away from each other.

"Well, I have to admit, I like that kind of distraction!" Sue said as her cheeks flushed. "And don't worry, Jack, I won't keep bugging you about the surprise! I guess we should watch the rest of the game, huh?" Sue asked.

"I guess so..." Jack said, as he took Sue's hand, and they sat down and drew close to one another.

A little later in the evening, during the seventh inning, another small round of fireworks went off over the scoreboard.

"Again?" Sue asked, confused. Then read the message being displayed on the board:



CONGRATULATIONS SUE THOMAS AND JACK HUDSON ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT!



A huge smile spread across her face. Once again, she could see the stadium crowd standing and applauding, and could feel the vibrations from their applause.

"Jack, that's so sweet! Thank you so much! You've made this day so special for me! You've made me feel so special! I love you!" Sue said with tears in her eyes.

"Sue, you are so special! I love you! Don't you ever forget that!" he said gently wiping away her tears of joy.

Jack and Sue spent the rest of the evening reveling in their new engagement while enjoying food, family, friends, baseball, fireworks, and, most importantly, each other.


Jack Hudson now had yet another reason to love Independence Day -- it was the day that Sue Thomas agreed to become the future Sue Hudson!



THE END

I hope y'all enjoyed this story! I had a lot of fun writing it! Thanks to everyone who read it and left such wonderful replies! I really appreciate it!

Comments are always welcome! Thanks!

i loved it, it was wonderful

cath

Great story! Loved it!

Wonderful end ... not least of which the length. I'd be leaping about joining in the celebrations but I'm sad ... there are no more titles ...

Great job!

That was one remarkable proposal! Glad Sue said yes or it could have gotten gnarly Of course, like Jack said, there wasn't ever any doubt!

kav

This story was a real charmer. It was so sweet and so clever. Great job.

Tracy, I love the proposal!! It went perfectly!!! The whole story was great from start to finish!!!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Joy