Absolutely amazing, Kav! Wonderful!

Ornella

Great post, think christmas thoughts , think Christmas thoughts . I feel really bad and sorry for myles, he had such a bad childhood, it would explain his adult addituded though. Can't wait to read more.
[size=4][font=Lucida Console] Jade [color=#33CC00]Yannick fan 4life

Another great post Kav...

Loved it!

Please post more soon!

BLT

Happy thoughts!!!!!!!

Kav, I held my breath through that whole post, thinking happy Christmas thoughts!! Amazing!!!

Joy

This falls hopelrssly short but all I can think of is "Wow!"

adding that dude cos he is so darn cool

Poor Myles no found memories of his own....


~laura michelle~

Sue was the first one to see the ribbon of light that stretched like a string of Christmas lights along the horizon.

“That be the North Pole,” the conductor boasted proudly. “They’re expecting you…we’re a little off schedule given the…technical problems we ran into.”

Jack raised his eyebrows in disbelief. “That’s what you call it?”

“It still happened, no matter what you want to call it.” The conductor shrugged nonchalantly, but his brow was furrowed with worry.

“Why’d it happen?” Jack asked. “I mean you’ve been doing…this…every Christmas Eve for years and you say this is the first time…”

“The unbelief has been stronger this trip,” the conductor admitted soberly. “It is taking hold at an earlier age each year. If this keeps up there won’t be anyone left to believe.”

“But you have us,” Jack pointed out. “And the kids from last year and the year before. We won’t forget. Ever.”

The conductor smiled sadly. “If we’re lucky you’ll keep an ember buried somewhere in there,” he jabbed a finger against Jack’s chest in the region of his heart. “And with luck it’ll stay steady and true, ready for the right spark to fan it to life again, but this will all fade away until it isn’t even a distant memory, mark my words.”

Jack looked on in disbelief. “I won’t forget,” he vowed. “She won’t forget!” He nodded at Sue who had her nose pressed against the windowpane, her excited breath fogging up the window so that she constantly had to wipe it clear again.

The conductor smiled. “That one’s special. If you forget everything else that happened tonight make sure you don’t forget that, now, you hear?” He jabbed Jack’s chest three times for emphasis and then blew his whistle so loudly that everyone, except Sue, covered their ears with their hands. “Stand by to disembark. Next stop – the North Pole!” His voice boomed and echoed around the compartment and the children cheered, jostling each other excitedly for a position close to the windows and a first glimpse of Santa’s home. Jack hurriedly nudged his way through to stand guard over his young charge who remained oblivious to the commotion. He wasn’t about to let anyone get in the way of her view.

“It’s like fairyland!” she beckoned to him excitedly. He smiled down at her glowing face. Her cheeks were rosy and her smile bright and infectious. Even the dolt that had nearly ended them all couldn’t resist her charms and a smile played around his lips.

They’d stuck together – all six of them, these new friends without names though they all had nicknames now. Koala (for obvious reasons), Pigtails (because they never stopped bobbing), Bossy (because she had organized the whole car full of kids and still held them in the palm of her hand), Harvard (because that’s all he could talk about now that he wasn’t discounting everything and everyone) and Stub. Jack had named her that because she was the epitome of stubbornness. She insisted that he be called Chocolate, because of his eyes, whatever that meant.

“You’ll have to hurry if you want to see Santa taking off on his sleigh. We’ve been unavoidably delayed, I’m afraid and this will have to be a short visit. Busiest night of the year, don’t you know,” the conductor warned.

The train ground to a stop and the children eagerly pressed forward, spilling onto the snowy streets, racing down along the icicled walkway, up turreted stairs carved in igloo steps to the observatory halfway up a sloping mountain. The wind blew and a few crystal snowflakes fell gracefully from the sky. Jack watched a thick one melt on the curling lash of Miss Stub. “Cold?” he asked her with an edge of concern. She shook her head. Surprisingly no one was, though most were in their night wear with only the thinnest of slippers on their feet – if they had any on at all.

“Magic,” she told him, as if reading his mind.

He grinned. He could feel it in the air around them. It built up inside of him, spreading warmth and good will throughout his heart and mind. He thought at that very moment he could almost – almost – feel affection for the three bullies back home. The air at the North Pole was indeed powerful stuff.

Excited chattering died suddenly as the children watched the scene unfold below them. Eight elves led eight reindeer to the center of a clearing where they busily harnessed the doe-like creatures. “They’re eyes are just like yours,” Stub whispered to him in awe. “And look at how pretty their harnesses are. The bells must be magic. Do you think that’s what makes them fly? They shimmer so prettily, what do they sound like?”

It was the most she’d ever said at one time and he decided to indulge her in her fantasies. The bells were unusual. Glowing silver they were covered with ornate carvings, worn grooves for ornamentation. Their sound was pure and true – a note worthy of a philharmonic orchestra, not the usual tinny jingle of a regular bell. He tried to explain this to Stub, only he wasn’t sure she understood.

Once the reindeer were harnessed a hundred elves pushed and pulled the sleigh into position behind them. This was followed by a flurry of buckling and snapping and adjusting until everything was pronounced perfect.

A cry of adoration rose from the children in one voice when they caught their first glimpse of the man they knew so well. His belly really did shake when he laughed and he pointed and waved and looked at each one of them as if he knew them personally. Sue felt the warmth of an embrace and felt the indelible impression of words on her mind. Well done, my dear. You hold he key to the spirit of Christmas in your heart. Protect it well and give of it freely.

Jack felt a keen probe – an awareness of pride and affection. You have a good heart, boy. Mind you listen to it and you won’t go wrong in life.

The children basked under the attention of not only Santa but Mrs. Claus as well. She moved through the crowd, hugging a child here, kissing a cheek there, clucking all the while leaving a trail of hot chocolate and sugar cookies in her wake.

“Merciful heavens will you look at this? What will your mother say, my dear?” she exclaimed when she spied the torn and tattered knees on Jack's trousers. “Always getting into scrapes, aren’t you, boy? Well, sometimes they can’t be helped and Santa’s right. You have a good heart. Now let me fix these up for you.”

Jack stood in embarrassment as the little old lady whipped out a golden needle and silver thread and her fingers nimbly flew across the torn material – faster and faster until they became a blur and when she stopped there was no sign that the material had been torn at all.

“Didn’t I tell you she’d fix you up?” the conductor boasted.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Jack said awkwardly.

Mrs. Claus beamed. “My you’re going to be a heart throb (isn’t that what they’re saying now a days?) when you grow up. Just look at those eyes. Mind you treat the girls nicely and remember – don’t go breaking hearts – yours is already taken.”

“It is?”

Mrs. Claus smiled at Sue and patted her hand. “Well of course, isn’t it obvious?” She reached out for Jack’s hand and placed Sue’s into it. “You take care of her now, you hear?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“It’s time…I say, it’s time. Gather a little closer. That’s right. Just move in. I want you all to be able to get a good look. The hour has come for Santa to begin his journey delivering toys all around the world, but it is tradition for the first gift of Christmas to be given out to a passenger form the Polar Express.”

Excited murmuring swirled across the night sky as the children shuffled forward. Santa beamed down at them all from high up on the sleigh.

“Such a difficult choice, children,” he sighed, stroking his beard in contemplation. “Remember that you all will have gifts when you arrive home at the end of your journey – but tonight I think...yes, send him up to me.” A red mittened hand pointed directly at Jack and he suddenly found himself perched on the seat of Santa’s enormous sleigh. His stomach clenched and his knees shook as he looked down at his fellow passengers. He hated heights.

Santa seemed to understand. “Name the gift you choose,” he offered magnanimously.

Jack’s mind went blank. He was being offered anything, and he suddenly realized that he had everything he needed and wanted. He was content. He looked nervously around the perimeter of the sleigh, piled high with canvas sacks that reached to the stars. He couldn’t chose anything from them – for they were already marked for a child somewhere in the world. He couldn’t deprive someone of a gift when he had been given so much.

One of the reindeer jostled its head and the merry tune of a Christmas Carol lifted up into the sky. Suddenly unaccountably shy, he tugged on Santa’s coat sleeve until the snow white head bent down so that Jack could whisper in his ear. Santa’s eyebrows arched up in surprise and the crowd below wondered what he had asked for.

In no time at all, a bell was whisked off Dancer’s harness and pressed into Jack’s open palm. He closed his fist around the warm metal and smiled his thanks and then suddenly he was back beside his friends and they all watched the take off as eagerly as any rocket launch from NASA.

Jack was the centre of the attention on the walk back to the Polar Express and clusters of the children visited their seats on the journey home. Everyone wanted to see the bell, listen once more to it’s melodious tinkle.

“I wish I could hear what it sounds like,” Sue whispered wistfully to no one in particular but Jack heard her.

He pressed the silver bell into her hand and closed her fingers around it. Then he circled her wrist and shook her hand so that the bell trilled merrily and she could feel the vibrations against her palm. She laughed in delight and so did he.

The journey home was much shorter and the conductor called for him too quickly. Suddenly he was standing, being propelled towards the door. He could see the steeple of the church in his hometown, hear the jeering laughter of the bullies who had been pursuing him. The conductor placed his hand firmly at his back and pushed him along, but Jack dodged at the last moment, leaping over a few seats and their occupants to make his way back to Stub’s huddled, teary form.

“Hey – don’t cry. Take this,” he pressed the silver bell into her small hand without a second thought. “It’s to remember me by.” It was all he could manage to say before he was whisked away.

Sue watched him go, clutching the bell tightly in her fist. “I’ll never forget you. I promise," she sobbed. "I’ll never forget.”

I just caught up and now I have the urge to dig out the Christmas stories and read to my children. This is certainly beautiful Kav!

THat is so cute

*happy sigh*

I'm ignoring the fact (for now) that they had to say goodbye (for now) because...

1) I know you will bring them together again in adulthood - hence the PG17 rating

2) Jack doesn't want Sue to forget him.

3) Sue doesn't want to forget Jack.

Carry on - I approve

Oh Kav! That was just beautiful. I love how Mrs. Clause knew that Jack's heart, even as a child, belonged to Sue. This is just marvelous. Now if Jack could just remember what Mrs. Clause told him about his heart belonging to Sue.

Kim

WOW...OMG....that was wonderful.....{sigh}


~laura michelle~

My that was beautiful Kav...I love your descriptions.

Please post more soon!

I can't wait to see how this works out!

BLT

I had a few posts to catch up on and they were all amazing! This is an incredible story Kav!

I can't wait for more!

Em

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kav! I'll think happy thoughts and be eager to return in a few days and catch up on the group in present time.

Oh! Did you find anything at the bazaar?????

Oh, Kav, I just caught up on your story, and WHAT a delightful story it is! More, soon, please!

Wow! I thought I was only gone for a couple of days, but good grief, I had 6 pages to get caught up on. See if I ever let myself get that far behind again....

This is an amazing story, Kav. I'm just curious why D wasn't on the train. Does he still believe? Or was it already too late for him?

I'm loving this. Can't wait for more!

So adorable.........

Kav, you make me want to dance. You are an amazing storyteller. I still need to create my Book of Kav and have it bound and by my bedside. Each story you right is so amazing and powerful.

Doesn't even come close to the talent you possess. Thanks for sharing.

Also, I'm glad Babs (as you refer to her) reminded me that this was a PG17 story and we have more J/S fuzzies to come.

Great post, especially with Sue helping Myles and also like the bit where Jack responded to Sue with thinking of his own christmas memories, to make the darkness disappear.

I know I already said this but... this story is absolutely wonderful!
I'm speechless!

Thank you, Kav!
Ornella

Yes, Okie, I'm going under the assumption that D is a bit older than the other guys and therefore would have been a teenager and a confirmed nonbeliever so wouldn't have been eligible for the ride.
And I'm setting the 'present' day part of this story mid third season -- right after Secret Agent Man and Spy Games. I can't figure out what the air date would have been...but I think it was winterish and close to late November. Well, it is in my mind anyway and for the purposes of this story. So we're starting up from where Sue has just seen Jonathan off at the train station

December 2005

The air was charged with a kind of awkward energy they weren't used to but they had both come through their latest case a little bit scathed and whole lot more wary and it was telling now that they were finally alone. Jack didn't even try to say anything until he put the gear in reverse and began to ease out of the parking space but then Sue hadn't made any attempts at conversation either. He paused at a red light and looked back at the station and sighed.

“Something about trains...” he began.

It was a weak opening gambit – an olive branch of sorts – but she took it.

“I know what you mean. There's excitement in the air, the feeling of anticipation is contagious and there's so many possibilities. It's the only crowded place I willingly come to soak it all in. It makes me just want to hop on a train and take off to some place magical...”

She broke off and shrugged, a little embarrassed at her rapturous outburst. She was definitely not the practical and efficient agent type that Jack was obviously attracted to. And that didn't matter, she told herself sternly. Why should it? After all, she and Jack were only friends. If she'd ever dared to hope for anything more those hopes had been dashed over the past few weeks. Shattered actually into a million pieces and she'd finally faced the glaring facts. If ever there was a direct opposite to Jessica – Sue Thomas was it, in both looks and temperament...and experience. And Jack had once thought that Jessica might have just been 'the one'...

She shook herself out of her maudlin reverie and concentrated instead on not making an utter fool of herself this evening. She focussed back on what Jack was saying, surprised to find that he was agreeing with her.

“...are the most exciting form of transportation. There's something about sitting back and watching the scenery roll by...and you never can tell what might happen on a train.”

Thankfully the light changed and Jack could concentrate on his driving instead of letting his mouth run off like a nattering idiot. He hadn't missed the look of surprise in her eyes. Sue was probably wishing she was on that train with Jonathan right about now. The ever resourceful-super-sleuth-with-super-hero-powers-kiss-her-on-the-cheek-and-nuzzle-her-hair-Hammond. Jack was sure he'd just ground a cavity into his back molar and consciously worked at unclenching his rigid jaw. His teeth would turn to powder at the rate he was going.

They didn't say much of anything else until they were seated at the restaurant. It was more upscale than their usual haunts. Sue looked around the warm décor appreciatively. The Express had replicated its interior from past era dining cars of famous trains around the world. Each lounge was decorated accordingly. The one Jack and Sue were seated in was done up almost completely in white. From the pristine white shag carpet to the crisp white table linens and the heavy white plates the cozy little room shimmered and glowed in the reflections from the ornate crystal chandeliers. The only splash of colour came from the Christmas red walls but even they were broken up with a black and white photographic exhibit of Polar ice caps.

“What do you think?” Jack asked casually, though he anxiously awaited her reply. He had found the place two weeks ago and had just poked his nose in that time, intrigued. A glance at the menu and the ambience was enough to know that he wanted to bring Sue here...on a date.

“It's wonderful!” Sue enthused, her eyes alight with wonder as she tried to take it all in at once.

He visibly relaxed, and let out the pent up breath he didn't know he'd been holding in. It had been important that she like it...he didn't know why...it just was, and she did and he could breathe again...maybe even eat when the food came. He smiled inwardly, chiding himself for his clumsiness. It was nerves, plain and simple. She'd been kidnapped from right out under his nose after a rough week when he hadn't been her staunchest supporter...and he should have been. Should never have allowed Jessica to distract him for even a second. He'd dug a hole for himself that time, had almost succeeded in covering himself up with a darkness he couldn't have begun to imagine. It still left a bad taste in his mouth – how easily he had been duped to think about following another path...one that he had ended years ago.

“Jack?”

He smiled at her apologetically, making a conscious effort to be present at this time and in this place...with her.

“I discovered this restaurant a couple of months ago...” before Jonathan landed in our laps and Jessica walked through the door. “I knew the minute I saw it that this was the perfect place for our first...” idiot. Don't scare her away. She's not ready for this yet. Maybe she never will be. Suddenly the world looked bleak again and the brightness of the room seemed almost glaring. It had been one of the reason he liked it so much. There was enough lighting to so that Sue would be comfortable, but still had enough ambiance to create an intimate atmosphere. “Anyway...I thought you were the perfect person to try it out with,” he finished lamely.

Sue couldn't prevent the blush from heating her cheeks. After nearly three years he still had the ability to reduce her to flushes and shivers and heart palpitations at the oddest times. Like now when he centered her out for his undivided attention, those deep brown eyes of his so warm and inviting...like pools of melting chocolate. She blinked and ducked her head, marvelling at her mind's decidedly school girl wanderings.

“Sue? You okay? You look a little flushed.”

Her head snapped up and she gaped. Inane man! Did he come by his cluelessness naturally or did he have to work at it? Sue groaned inwardly. Of course he was clueless. He looked at her as he would Bobby – a friend. Just a friend. Why would he read anything else into her body's betraying hormonal fluctuations?

“I'm just warm, that's all,” she told him demurely and began to shrug off her coat.

He was beside her in an instant, his hands brushing against the collar of her blouse as he helped ease the coat from her shoulders. It stuck fast midway and she realized that she had neglected to unbutton it before starting to take it off. Jack came to the same conclusion and with a teasing laugh he squatted down beside her chair and slipped the button loose that tethered the coat together at her midriff. His knuckles brushed against her stomach and she drew in a shaky breath. Their eyes locked and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't look away and he didn't appear to want to.

“Hey there I'm Albert, your conductor this evening. Ready to order?” A gangly youth with bright red hair and so many freckles they smeared together across his nose suddenly loomed over them.

Jack laughed awkwardly, clearing his throat as he stood up while Sue busied herself with wresting her arms out of the sleeves of her coat. She shivered, suddenly chilled, and wondered what Jack would say if she pulled the coat back over her again.

“We haven't really checked out the menu, yet,” he admitted as he sat back down across the table from Sue. “Do you have any recommendations?”

The bored teen began to rattle them off in staccato fashion and Jack waved him away. “Just give us another couple of minutes, okay?”

“Certainly,” Albert replied with a resigned air and retreated.

Sue looked down at the closed menu lying across her plate and uttered a startled exclamation of surprise. The cover of the menu was a photograph of an old-fashioned steam train, heavily laden with snow. The Polar Express Winter Menu was typed in bold font across the cover. She felt Jack's hand cover hers on the table.

“Something wrong?” he asked with concern.

“No – just...I don't know. This all seems familiar...” she held up the picture for Jack to see.

He studied it carefully and grinned. “I think I'm having a de ja vu experience too...I've seen that picture someplace before...”

“It's the cover of the children's Christmas story by the same name.” Albert was back, his pen poised. “Are you ready to order yet? I'm heading in to midterms with a major one looming in my future tomorrow. You're my last table. I take your order and I'm out of here and the new shift begins. Can I prevail upon you to concentrate on the menu first and the amour stuff afterwards?”

Jack pulled his hand away from Sue's and cast a sheepish look her way. His heart sunk when she appeared mortified at the waiter's misconception. A little bit more darkness pushed against the hope in his heart and he shook off the melancholy and determinedly perused the menu, Sue's bowed head indicating she was doing the same.

Excellent imagery, taking us back to their train ride and the effects of the children's doubts!!! This restaurant sounds soooo wonderful!!!

i loved the last scene at the north pole it was as if i was sitting right next to them...i wish i could have seen santa..that would be to sweet.

and then we're back to square one....sue loves jack, but doesn't admit it, because she is scared that jack doesn;t want her because he loved jessica.

and jack loves sue, but can'tfind a way to tell her that because he thinks he isn't good enough for her, and that she is in love with jonathan.

sue and jack you 2 sometimes make my head hurt so bad that i need to have 3 hot cups off cocao to make me better, and then i have such a sugar high that i can't see straight or sit straight....so stop talking around all of this, and admit it to each other...you 2 love each other...periode.

ok i'm done.

love it kav. greets law

Come on more

aww this is so perfect oi dont know the original story but this is well cute

I'm so engrossed in reading that I think I'm letting the tomato sauce burn! Your imagery is incredible Kav. Why do trains continue to hold that fascination? Even in this day of airplanes, my children still love the thought of a train.

I would like to eat at this restaurant (OK I would like to eat at any restaurant that doesn't serve toys with its food), sounds like a perfect date!

Kav, Sue was right - the North Pole scene was pure magic!! I could see all of it in my mind and I can feel the Christmas spirit rising up as I type!!!

Present day Jack and Sue - still clueless I see, but maybe a hint?? I love the restaurant - it is definitely making long forgotten memories come to the surface!! I wonder if Sue still has the bell???

BTW, I love your description of Jonathan from Jack's point of view!! Perfect!! In that scene where he was waiting for Sue to say goodbye to Jonathan, from the look on Jack's face I swear he was thinking just that!!!

Joy

I had a few posts to catch up on---this is so amazing, Kav!! I love how they've each subconsciously held on to memories of the Polar Express---can't wait for more!!

Great post.....wonder how they'll figure it out....


~laura michelle~

I agree, beautifully done Kav .. The reference brought a smile upon my face, too bad that what the reference caused isn't such a happy thing. But I have faith in you, and that PG17 in the sub-title

So, while reading your story I was listening to Celine Dion's "Oh Holy Night" and I've determined that I'm all ready for Christmas.

Absolutely wonderful! All of your posts are very real and poignant...
More Please...

Kav, I just love the way you express things!!! I'm still laughing over this imagery...

And I vote that we put Albert on a train and ship him off to somewhere else and replace him with someone like say, oh I don't know, me or one of the other nuts...err.. readers on this board that feel the amour between Jack and Sue is so much more important than food or midterms

Kav, I just caught up in this whole story, and I love it!! It's sooo great!! I love it

Finally caught up. This is fabulous. Certainly puts me in the Christmas mood.
thanks,
Terie

SO Cute!!!!

Weighing in on why D wasn't on the train.... Kav, I don't think you should think of it as that he was a non-believer at that point in time... just that he might... of course he was... on the train the year before. Still believing just ahead of the pack with his timing... makes sense doncha think? after all, he is the only one of them to realize a good thing when he saw it and snapped up Donna....

Love the fact that Bobby wasn't all that sure now if he liked the idea of being in charge of pigtails.... wonder if he feels differently now....

I would have to agree with everyone Kav...absolutely beautiful imagery

You are doing such an excellent job...can't wait for more!

BLT

2 wonderful posts to catch up on

i love this and it would be so cool to be able to read all of it like a book.

i would wait for you to complete it and read it all in one sitting but i'm not that patient

cath

Just believe Jack. Remember, you have to believe so the darkness wont' swallow you up...Kav this is just wonderful!

Kim

Wow!!!! I really love your story! can't wait for more!!!

He mionebistrow -- I like your way of thinking! Thanks for all the great feedback! I think I'll go listen to Celine Dione's Christmas cd now too.


“We need to do this more often,” Jack said as he helped Sue on with her coat. The food had been superb, the second waiter much more attentive and no one seemed to mind how long they lingered. And it had been hours. They even prepared a side dish for Levi who had devoured it gratefully and curled up under the table for a contented snooze while Jack and Sue talked…and talked…and talked some more. Sometimes he covered her hand to make a point and he was heartened to find that she didn’t seem to mind.

Had he said enough, he wondered, or too much? He hoped he’d put her mind at rest over the small – all right – large, cavernous, chasm-filled Jessica issue. He’d been momentarily blinded by the memories of his youthful indiscretions. He’d been young, eager and while not innocent, he hadn’t had nearly enough experience to deal with a woman of Jessica’s ilk. Of course, that didn’t excuse his momentary lapses this past week, but he hoped that Sue’s forgiving nature would extend in his direction. He smoothed down her collar while she buttoned her coat and then, unable to resist, he tugged at the golden curtain that lay captive beneath the wool.

His hands on her hair startled her into a paroxysm of delicate shivers that only grew in intensity when his fingers skimmed along the base of her neck as he released her hair. It seemed to take an eternity before he was satisfied with its arrangement over her shoulders, and even then, he toyed absently with a strand. She fought to steady her breathing and her heart. If she wasn’t careful he could easily steal them both. Perhaps he already had.

“Ready?” His eyes glinted with a new light and she blushed under his scrutiny.

They were both reluctant to leave. Sue didn’t want this evening to ever end. It had been different, somehow. More like a couple going out on a date than two coworkers sharing a meal after a difficult case. They were friends, of course, and as such confided in one another about many things, but never about that one illusive important matter, though Sue had the feeling there was enough magic in the air tonight that anything could happen. She cast one last sweeping glance across the dining room and sighed contentedly.

“Jack, this is the nicest restaurant I’ve ever eaten in. Thank you for taking me here,” she said almost shyly. She had tried to go double with him, as it was more expensive than their usual places, but he had waved her protests aside and determinedly financed the meal. “This evening’s been perfect.”

“Then let’s not end it so soon,” Jack suggested, glad she couldn’t hear the husky timber to his voice. He had the strongest urge to take her in his arms and kiss all their doubts and hesitancies away right their in the lobby. “How about a stroll around the park with Levi and then, if you’re not too cold, we could do some window shopping. The store windows have been decorated for Christmas.” He hoped the idea didn’t sound lame. It was something his mother always liked to do, dragging the males in her household on one of the season’s first reluctant family traditions. Tonight he wasn’t feeling any of that reluctance.

“Might I say that’s an excellent plan, sir.” Their waiter had come up on them unawares. “I’m glad you enjoyed your evening with us. Please do come again. We’re always open any time of the day or night to a select number of our clientele.

Jack nodded his thanks, his eyes tracking Sue as she wandered around the reception area, poking at pamphlets and banners. She picked up two complimentary after dinner mints – perfect tiny replicas of candy canes – and offered one to Jack. “I don’t think it can get any better than this,” she told him with smile.

He could think of a few ways he could improve on the evening. All of them involved decidedly fewer clothes and a much more private venue. But other than that he had to heartily concur with her observation. The waiter benevolently beamed at him as if he was pleased with Jack for some reason. “That one’s special,” he nodded to Sue who was now absorbed in a colourful poster pinned to the wall behind the cash. “If you forget everything else, just don’t forget that now, you hear?” He winked.

Jack nodded, a little surprised at the waiter’s pointed comment but he didn’t take offence. “I agree with you on that one and don’t worry, there’s no chance I’ll ever forget it.” Even as the words came out of his mouth he knew that he had forgotten for a time. Well, perhaps forgotten was too strong a word. More like ignored. He hungrily watched Sue’s profile, the unassuming grace of her pose, the tilt of her head as she studied the poster, the unconscious way she had of ruffling Levi’s ears without really knowing she was doing it. All innocent little mannerisms that no one else would find noteworthy but he found them riveting and something stirred deep within him every time he remembered to stop long enough to appreciate what he had.

“Jack – look at this,” she turned a megawatt smile his way and he thought he’d have to crawl across the room to see what she was so excited about it. “Look, they do group parties. We could book the Polar Express for our office Christmas party. Lucy’s been trying everywhere and she hasn’t had any luck. Everyone seems to have booked early this year. We were thinking about having it at our place, but this…” she strolled back for one last peek into the dining room. “…this is perfect. Don’t you think?”

She was perfect. Jack had been admiring the line of her leg and the curves that weren’t quite concealed beneath her coat and had obviously missed some of what she had said.

“Jack are you paying attention?”

Definitely. His gaze caressed the column of her throat where a few wisps of golden strands clung to her white skin. He’d like to have the right to brush them away. To replace them with his fingers, his mouth, his tongue…Someone clearing his throat rather loudly pulled him up from his reverie.

“Perhaps a nice brisk walk in the cool night air might do you the world of good, sir,” the waiter suggested with a knowing wink as he held open the door.

Jack stood aside to let Levi and Sue through first, his hand automatically going to the small of her back as he ushered her out onto the sidewalk. He kept it there all the way to the park.

This just keeps getting better. A Christmas party - I can hardly type I'm so excited!

i really cried while reading this...because i just saw it happening right in front of me...how i wish i would have seen his face

cath

Aww, you know this whole destined to be a couple thing.. Is so beautiful. And now this wonderful post - both wanting not to end the evening.. The very nice and attentive, and might I add, funny waiter..
You always seem to turn me into a drooling reader Kav!

This post was even if this part

made me laugh so loud that I woke up my parents!

I like this new waiter! He reminds me of a certain conductor...

Ornella

i can't wait until the party

Another amazing post Kav!

Can't wait for more!

BLT