This is great! They're all going to be there for the party! I can't wait

Wow...I just have warm fuzzies all over. Feels like I'm reliving my childhood, experiencing my first love and finding my lifelong companion all at the same time. WONDERFUL!!!

Another awsome post!! Keep 'em coming!!

I love when Jack just watches Sue and she has no idea

I can't wait for more Kav!!!!

Em

Wow that was great.....


~laura michelle~

*slithers to the floor in a puddle*

kav - your writing is just so perfect - every word, every thought... *happy sigh*

This is a perfect post to read before going to bed - sweet dreams for me!

Kav, this is without a doubt the best you have ever done!! I know I've said that before, but you just keep getting better and better!!!

The restaurant was absolutely amazing, and was the waiter by any chance our conductor???

Jack is just...........!!! **sigh**

Joy

that was a great post.
UPDATE SOON.

Wow!

Kim

Wow. That was a terrific first date. I love the second waiter. Perhaps a trip down memory lane?

Oh, and I like the idea you have for D's absence on the train. That works for me.

Can't wait for more!

YOu never cease to amaze me Kav....

I don't know how you do it Kav!!! Every story so different and yet so true to character... love it!!!

You know what they say about great minds Kav....

And I think it's brilliant that they're available for private parties....

Think Tara could be convinced to wear pigtails?

You reduce me to mush every time you write. Wonderful stuff here, Kav!

Jill

Magical, Enthralling, stunning, beautiful, enchanting, exquisite, amazing, need I say more?

Kav, it's fantastic. I simply adore this story!!

Jen

I'm so addicted Kav.. My impatience is getting to me! Sorry, but pleeaaseee post soon!

are you going to post today???? please

i've been playing cathup and this story makes me feel all warm inside like christmas and fuzzy memories

Jack is paying attention, Sue ... just not to the same thing.

Kav? Did you lose your laptop? Did you check under your pillow???

Are you, are you?......please, please, please...please (I can go on forever, I have the power)

Wow! I so love this one.
thanks,
Terie

Kav? Where are you? We need another post!

Ornella

Breathtaking story.

Sorry. Monday's are always Jonah days. And I got up at 4 today -- that would be a.m.!!!! then I was super busy at all my jobs and then my internet acted up at me at job 2 and home... But here I am now and this is all there is...more tomorrow.


The warmth from his hand permeated through her coat and into her body filling her with a surge of excitement and optimism. Daringly she took a half step sideways so that their bodies brushed together. Without breaking stride he altered his pace so that their legs moved in perfect rhythm. His hand slid along her back and curved at her upper arm until they were walking in a semblance of an embrace. Neither spoke a word, too absorbed in the magic of the moment to risk breaking the spell. Even Levi felt disinclined to disturb his humans. He sniffed likely fetching sticks, his tail wagging eagerly, but he left them where they lay, content to chase imaginary bunnies instead.

Sue barely noticed. She was achingly aware of Jack's firmly muscled thigh pressing into hers, of their hips moving in unison, the subsequent friction burning her to the core. She was close enough to smell that special Jack smell. Pheromones, Tara would say, analytically, a beacon meant to lure a mate to his side. Sue took a deep, bracing breath, inhaling his scent until she felt intoxicated by its potency and sighed with immense satisfaction. It was definitely working.

He felt the rise of her contented sigh and smiled into her hair. Tendrils blew in the breeze, tickling his face, the silken strands caressing his skin the way he wanted her lips to. He smiled at the turn of his thoughts, every nerve ending painfully aware of the swell of her hips and slope of her thigh as they pressed along his side. He stiffened his arm, bending the elbow and subtly drew her closer by increasing the pressure and his pleasure immeasurably. This was the closest to heaven he'd ever been and he didn't want it to end.

They circled the park twice before reluctantly stopping when the path led them back to the sidewalk. The pedestrian traffic was surprisingly heavy for early evening on a weeknight. Sue bent to snap Levi's leash onto his collar and Jack had no other option but to drop his hand from around her back...

Sue felt the absence of his warmth keenly and a cold shiver shot down her spine.

"Cold?" Jack asked with concern, pulling the lapels of her double-breasted coat higher. His hand accidentally brushed the sculpted line of her jaw and he savored the sensation of soft skin against his callused fingertips. He stared at the spot, desperate for a taste of velvet against his lips...

"I'm fine." Sue's voice brought him out of his trance and he smiled at her.

"Ready for some window shopping then?"

She wrinkled her nose at him and rolled her eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked dubiously.

I'd do anything just to keep you with me a little longer. He winked and flashed her teasing grin. "As long as I get to hang on to this..." he clasped her gloved hand firmly in his, "...I'll be the model of window shopping etiquette," he assured her.

They strolled hand in hand, stopping frequently to marvel at the intricacies of the Christmas window displays. Some of the stores were open late, getting an early start on the Christmas rush, but they avoided going in to any of them until they reached the Christmas Store. Jack knew by the delighted look in Sue's eyes that this one was going to be more than a window shop stop. He opened the door and led her inside, a cheery bell announcing their arrival.

"There's something about ringing bells at Christmas," Jack murmured, "always gets me in the mood." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively and Sue blushed, not really knowing why.

"Can I help you with anything tonight?" A stout woman with kindly eyes asked pleasantly. She was swathed in a poinsettia print apron and had a sprig of holly tucked in the side of her white bun.

"We're just looking, thank you," Sue replied. "Everything looked too appealing to pass by."

"Thank you -- I have a bevy of busy elves that keep me on my toes and the place looking magical. There's nothing like a bit of Christmas magic now is there?" she beamed at them. "Mind you show your wife the collections at the back of the store, sir. I'm sure you'll find the area appealing -- it's where Ruddy got a little heavy handed with the mistletoe."

Jack didn't bother to correct the lady's misconception and Sue hadn't caught it, dazzled as she was by a hanging display of frosted glass icicles. She reached out to touch one reverently. "Oh Jack, aren't they beautiful?" There was such yearning in her voice he wanted to buy up every one of them for her.

"Why don't you get a couple?" he urged even though he knew she wouldn't splurge on something so impractical for herself.

"With Levi the wonder dog?" Sue sighed. "I'm afraid they wouldn't stay beautiful for long."

"I dunno, glass confetti might have an appeal," Jack teased, bending down to pat the offended dog.

"Perhaps some Christmas bells..." the sales lady suggested nodding at the back of the store.


They wandered down through the aisles eventually making their way to the display of bells in the corner. Jack tried them all, grinning like a kid as he compared the sounds.

"Too tinny. Too loud. Not enough umph," he declared over and over again while Sue delighted in the craftsmanship of each piece. Bells in the shape of angels, a nativity, clappers painted like Santa heads and bracelets and anklets made out of red and green tinkling bells.

"I had a bell once," she told Jack with a sad smile. "My mother doesn't know where I got it from. It was heavy and silver with tiny engravings; lines and circles ground into the metal. I told my mother it had fallen from the sky -- from Santa's sleigh, but she didn't believe me. She said someone had thrown it away because it was broken. It didn't ring any more. I didn't care. It was still beautiful to me. It's not like I could hear it if it rang anyway. I loved that bell. Slept with it under my pillow every night for months."

Jack was intrigued by the wistful tone in her voice. "What happened to it?" he asked.

Sue shrugged her shoulders. "It disappeared one day. I imagine my mother probably threw it away. She couldn't stand clutter and didn't like to keep things that were broken..."

"But if it was yours..." Jack protested indignantly.

"I was only eight or so when I found it, Jack, and I was always finding treasures. I don't think Mom would have been able to get into my bedroom if she didn't purge it once in awhile."

"I'll buy you a new bell then," Jack declared decisively. "Pick one that you like."

"Oh Jack, that's sweet, but I'm all grown up now and it doesn't matter," though in her heart of hearts she knew that it did. She'd always felt that she'd lost something more than just an old bell though she could never understand what.

But Jack was not to be deterred and he began holding up samples for her consideration. She finally settled on a round red bell with Santa's face etched into the painted metal. "I can attach it to Levi's collar so he can be dressed up for the holidays," she explained and they both laughed when Levi moaned and his golden forehead wrinkled into a frown.

"What does it sound like, Jack?" Sue asked. "It's not too shrill is it? He doesn't like piercing sounds..."

"Here, I'll show you," Jack said suddenly, picking up two different bells and placing one in each of her hands. He closed her fingers over the metal. "Hold on tight. Ready?" He circled his thumb and forefinger around her wrist and shook.

Perhaps he shook too hard, or the close contact with him had finally sent her nerves into overload, but it suddenly seemed as if her whole world was ringing. Her mind spun dizzily around images of a dark haired boy and light haired girl with a bell in her hand. She gasped in surprise and staggered forward, leaning into Jack for his strength and his comfort. He caught her easily in his arms, bracing her elbows, holding her upright; he stared at her in equal surprise.

"I'm having one of those de ja vu moments again," he whispered, his voice gravelly with emotion.

"So am I," Sue admitted in a voice filled with awe.

Jack's eyes glanced upwards and he caught sight of the mistletoe hanging directly above them. It would be so easy to use the sprig of greenery as an excuse to lean over and brush his lips against one satin cheek and if his aim was off and he managed to claim her lips in that kiss, well, it would be understandable, wouldn’t it? He pointed upwards with one finger. “Mistletoe,” he warned and hesitated just a second to give her time to protest.

She didn’t. In fact she reached for him eagerly, lifting her head to meet his lips, their breaths mingling before his mouth claimed hers. He could feel her warmth welcoming him as he lowered his head with agonizing slowness. Their noses brushed, his lips grazed a cheek and traveled lower, hovering over her mouth in great anticipation.

Eyes wide open, Sue watched Jack’s face descend. She’d only been this close to him once before…at Callahan and Merced, but there had been no savoring that time, no teasing anticipation. No chance to memorize his features or that look in his eyes – the one she’d never noticed before, but one that heightened her expectations considerably. She felt his hand on her cheek, steadying her, his thumb brushing across her skin heightening her sense of longing.

They both knew they were on the cusp of discovery. Something had eased between them. A wall beginning to crumble, perhaps or a veil rent in two. Neither of them commented on it, content to bask in their newfound freedom of expression. She whispered his name, the longing evident in her voice and his heart surged with hope. With infinite tenderness his lips grazed hers – just the slightest connection, the merest hint of a kiss and then they were suddenly plunged into darkness.

I am in awe. You have single-handedly put me in the Christmas spirit. (I did the print and catch up thing) The children on the train were perfect. You captured the team as children in an amazing way.

Your descriptions made me feel like I was there. And now, that everything is going so beautifully - what was that plunged into darkness bit?

Kav, I think you already know this, but I think !

Oh, you are a cruel, cruel woman, Kav! You just HAD to inflict your Jonah day upon us, didn't you??? Such a beautiful post... so much anticipation... and then, just when the moment FINALLY arrives... 'suddenly plunged into darkness'???? Like Jonah swallowed by the whale... yeah, that's how I'm feeling now. Humph!

*jp wanders off to bed, hoping Kav doesn't have a Jonah day tomorrow... or the next day... or the next...*

Hey what happened? This was all with the and the and then the bell... Oh, the bell! and the kiss and then just when I was all and contemplating a bit of a swoon -cos there is nothing like a good swoon-it all came o a crashing hault. They were plundged into darkness and I ran out of words.

Really really amazingly wonderful Kav. Really.

Wow!

Now that they've had a taste... can we expect more ???

Em

Ugh.


KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVVVVVVVV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot believe you just did that.

I have tears in my eyes reading this, Kav. And that is saying something! This story is absolutely amazing and I am in awe of your talents!

Kim

on the edge of my seat!

Kav, this story is just magical. I absoutely love it. I can't wait for more!

THANKS...that post was wonderful. I love the deja vu moments. I can't wait until they realize they were together once before in a magical setting.

Here's hoping that Tuesday is AWESOME....

Well, .... That was not quite what I was expecting as the post progressed, but I know you'll make up for the lack of later in the story....right??? I hope that tomorrow is not a Jonah day---I think that will be easier on all of us!

I have just caught up on 12 wonderful pages
they were filled with love hope and WOW kav this is fantastic
more soon please Lin

Wonderful post, Kav!

Ornella

a wonderful post but i vote they keep kissing since the lights went out, they don't want to move and knock things over do they????????????????

cath

I think all I can muster is a simple...WOW!

Amazing post Kav!

Can't wait for more!

BLT

Oh, that was delicious.....and you left it at such a perfect palce but i wish you would hurry back and tell us what happened, did their get transposrted some place????? or what????

*knocks on screen impatiently* Kav, when is your tomorrow??

FAB post, so alive and zesty!!

Jen

Kav, you're wonderful!! I can so see the Christmas Shop - I will probably never enter a Christmas shop again without thinking about your story!!!

The deja vu moments, perfect!! Why do I have the feeling that the owner of the shop is Mrs. Claus???

Then the mistletoe, the kiss, or breath of a kiss..........then darkness!! Have they been transported somewhere or did the lights just go out???

I hope you don't have a Jonah Tuesday - we need more!!!

Joy

i was like this, jumping up and down because you posted. and when i started to read further and further i became like this (because of holding my breath) because of the chemistry...and then when i almost couldn't breath anymore.........you did that......plunging them into darkness.....so not fare.......

plunging in the darkness?

last time i checked (and i check pretty often:P), good things dont happen when people plunge into the darkness...

keep them safe!

This wouldn't happen to be a good kind of darkness, would it?


Jill

i'm tryingto be patient but it's so hard when the story is so good

LOL I'm so glad I'm not the only one!

The whole post was beautiful.

Well, I would have to agree with you! Kav,