I love, love, love this story! I thought it was really cute when Mrs. Claus tied the red ribbon around the bell and then tied it on Jack's finger. I can just imagine that scene.

It's a little warm in here now. I never knew snow could be so steamy!

Warm.., Mjasd? ... It's hoooot! Excellent writing, Kav!

This story is so much fun - I love the memory that is right there yet Sue just can't seem to grasp it!

As for you flip - I almost fell asleep during Charlie Brown and it started at 7pm!

This story makes me so happy!

I'm so

Em

that was smashing jack and sue thinking of there
then her letter to santa hope he grants them
there wishes Lin

Would it be considered rude and unreasonable for me to snatch the letter and read it??

FAB story Kav!!!

Jen

I get so excited every time I read this. Loved the headline and Jack's North Pole connections. If he only realized. . .

Why do the rest of us even bother to write anything?

Hi Carrie! I'm Julie and I've been fighting a KAV addiction since the day I joined the board.....

Now, Kav... dearest..... Mighten't (That's probably not even a word... is it?) we just go visit another lovely couple who have been fighting their own memories? Bobby never answered Tara's question.... Did he really have a pet Kangaroo?

**grins devilishly while rubbing hands together**

On the 9th day of Christmas my True Love gave to me: 9 old letters to Santa, 8 snowdrifts melting... suspiciously, 7 minutes of Sue's intense blushing, 6 hours of Tara's rainbow grilling, 5 minutes of rambling from Howie, 4 bran muffins from Myles, 3 Jack Hudson searing kisses, 2 Bobby Manning dimples and a facesmooshedinthewindow smilie.

The talk of makes me happy!

Hey Mionebristow, you cheated yourself out of lots of Jack's kisses! Why only 3?

I'm starting with the 12 days of Christmas and I'll take Jack's searing kisses on the 12th day so I get 12 of them I can dream, can't I?

on the 11th day, 11 hugs from Jack, on the 10th day, 10 winks from Jack, on the 9th day, 9 smiles from Jack, on the 8th day, 8 grins from Jack, on the 7th day 7 arm around me from Jack, on the 6th day, 6 holding hands with Jack, on the 5th day, 5 walks in the park with Jack, on the 4th day, 4 promises of a future together from Jack, on the 3rd day, 3 meals that day with Jack, on the 2nd day 2 proposals from Jack (1 decent and one indecent , and on the 1rst day of Christmas, I'm married to Jack!

OK, OK, I peeked into Sue's diary! I know, Jack belongs to Sue and Sue alone!

jack is jjust to cute for his own good....loved that last line, i know he has connections with santa. you all have...now kav when are they all going to know...that would be so funny wouldn't it.

Anne...

That was hilarious!... mine would go more like
12 kisses from Jack.. 11 more kisses from Jack... 10 more kisses from Jack... etc, etc.

and at the end: one kiss from my boyfriend... I think he should get at least one in...

you make me laugh you're so cute

You make me laugh.....

Well that last post could melt the ice I now have on my patio.
thanks,
Terie

today was the first cold day here...sunny but the wind was like ice...so Kav would you please come back and fill me up with some warm j/s moments?

Anne! We could have a whole section on the Board with ideas for the Twelve Days to Jack. Sorry this is the only post today...Im still and need to go to bed now because I have to go in to work tomorrow. Couldn't find a a supply so this is it.


"You'd think it was made of gold the way you two are carrying on," Myles complained irritably, his restless night evident in his demeanor this morning.

Lucy ignored him with a practiced air, but Tara shot him a pitying glance. "I've been doing research and so far I haven’t found a replica of this bell anywhere. It appears to be one of a kind."

"Rare and old…maybe an antique," Lucy added tossing the bell to Myles. "Take a look.”

He fumbled the bell from hand to hand before it fell through his fingers and clattered to the floor. Levi pounced on it, nosing cautiously closer and then backing away, barking uncertainly.

“Levi! What’s gotten into you, boy?” Sue asked in amusement. “It’s not a scary monster.” Levi looked as if he didn’t believe her, whining and scratching the floor beside the bell with a worried frown.

Lucy scooped it up and dropped it into Myles hand. “Butterfingers,” she said lightly. “What do you think?”

Myles shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny, fighting down the panic that seemed intent on consuming him the second the cold metal touched his flesh. Great, now in addition to being scared of the dark, I have a bell phobia. Perfect assets for any G-man, he thought irritably as he dutifully looked at the odd etchings on the metal hull of the bell.

They were unusual. An odd inscription of geometric shapes and dots. He bore holding the distasteful thing as long as he could and then passed it over to Tara. “Cheesy sales gimmick – probably circa 1950s, hardly a family heirloom. It’s simply a common little bell.” And then promptly winced. “Ahhh – Where is that infernal noise coming from?” He roared clutching his head in apparent agony.

“I don’t hear anything Myles,” Tara said, picking up the bell and cradling it gently in her hand. “What kind of noise?”

“Bells. A cacophony of bells but it’s gone now,” Myles slumped against the corner of his desk, looking worn and weary and caught Sue’s sympathetic gaze. She signed something to him, which he took to mean OK? He sighed and nodded his head, awkwardly twisting his hand in front of him. He hoped he’d said thank you and not something utterly rude. He wasn’t in the mood for mending bridges today. It was taking all his concentration just to apply himself to his work, as visions of gaping holes kept seeping into his mind.

“What do you think Myles?”

He shook his head and took a deep breath. Apparently he’d missed the gist of Tara’s comments and was now expected to garner an opinion.

“I know I can do it. I brought my old encryption codes with me. Here, take a look.” Tara rooted around in her bag and came up with a worn black book that had Top Secret: Keep Out: That Means You Bradley in a childish scrawl.

“I obviously missed something during my ruminating," Myles murmured to Sue who smiled in understanding, just as he knew she would.

“Tara thinks she can break the code on the bell. She says she recognizes it as a northern dialect shorthand she played around with as a kid,” Sue said by way of explanation. She came to stand by Myles and quietly patted his hand in a comforting gesture. He smiled gratefully at her. She was like a bright light, her radiance impossible to ignore. Hudson was a lucky man and Myles made a mental note to corner his fearless leader and ensure he appreciated the gift God had given him. He sent Jack a quelling look for good measure. Jack merely raised an eyebrow in good-natured inquisitiveness and sat back in his chair content to be only an observer.

There wasn’t much Jack didn’t notice about Sue, especially now. He felt their connection even though she was across the room from him. He felt her amusement and then her concern, her need to extend comfort, however subtly. Jack wondered if Myles knew what a lucky man he was to have Sue’s unshakeable friendship. He made a mental note to corner Leland on that very topic as soon as possible. He didn’t want Leland’s haughty surliness unsettling Sue, or even hurting her feelings. It was about time Myles began to appreciate the kind of friend God had given him.

“That can’t be right,” Tara mused, though her tone sounded like she hoped it was right. She started bouncing in her chair as she bent over her calculations again. “What are the odds?” she murmured to herself, the waves in her hair skimming her shoulders in a shimmering dance that was threatening to hypnotize Bobby.

Unable to resist her lure any longer, he ambled over to her desk and leaned his hip up against her computer stand. “What odds are we talking about, luv?” he murmured and chuckled when Tara nearly catapulted out of her chair.

“Bobby?” she squeaked as his large hands warmed each shoulder and pressed her back into her chair.

“You look about ready to blast off, Tara – you need me to sit on you?” he teased.

“Right once more and I’m going to sit on you the rest of the way. You’re making me dizzy.” The gangly boy, all elbows and knees and big, clumsy feet actually threatened her! Tara Williams! As if! She turned up her nose and presented him with her backside and before he knew what hit him she used his chest as a springboard and was handstanding her way down the aisle. He caught up with her in two long strides, grabbed her by an arm and a leg and hauled her back to their seat and then commenced to make good his threat.

“Tara? You still with us?” he prompted in that rich, sexy voice that flowed like butter being drizzled over bread dough when her mother made cinnamon buns. Golden. That’s what he sounded like. The sun, lazy summer days, hot, sultry nights – a heat wave. Yeah, definitely a heat wave. Her temperature had just gone up several degrees just listening to him. “Tara?”

“Uh – it’s just that it’s…well, prophetic maybe?” Tara wrinkled her nose, groping for the right word and coming up empty. So many things seemed just on the verge of her consciousness and she wasn’t feeling up to articulating any of it. She had a feeling it started and ended with Bobby – and that there was a worthwhile journey in the middle somewhere.

“Don’t tell me you broke the code already?” Lucy exclaimed excitedly.

“Well – it’s not a code really. Not the secret spy kind anyway. More like ancient runes from a lost civilization. Kind of like hieroglyphics, but from the North.”

“How far north?” Jack asked suspiciously.

“Uh – about as far North as you can go,” Tara explained a bit cautiously. If it was just the girls she would have blurted it out by now, but the guys – well, they might not understand the whole ramifications. Heck, she wasn’t sure she understood them…yet…but she was planning to.

“Just tell us what it says!” Lucy urged impatiently. “It has to be something good or you wouldn’t be leaving us in suspense like this.”

Tara looked from Sue to Jack and back to Sue again and smiled. “You might say that,” she agreed.

“I find it difficult to believe that you can claim to decode these meaningless markings on what is obviously a retailer’s idea of cashing in on some Christmas profits. Beat up old bell that just might have fallen from dear old Saint Nick’s sleigh…”

“I never said anything about that,” Sue said sharply. “When I was a child, I hoped…no I knew that’s where it came from but I never told anyone but Jack that. What makes you think it comes from a sleigh?”

“Why…because,” Myles sputtered uncertainly.

“It’s heavy, made of thick serviceable metal. It makes sense,” Tara said thoughtfully.

“And you’re really sure you know what it says?” Jack asked, hating that he was being drawn into the mystery in spite of himself.

Tara’s head bobbed vigorously. “Absolutely. Look, this is my encryption book. I started playing with secret codes and lost languages when I was seven. I once handed an entire essay in on the pyramids in hieroglyphics and Mrs. Brown had the nerve to give me an incomplete because it was ‘unreadable drivel’.” Tara’s cheeks flushed with indignation at the memory still dear to her heart.

“Ah – but we won’t flunk you, luv. We understand your value. Reward it even. Say – dinner on me tonight? Just get us to the point, darlin’ and we’ll talk logistics afterwards.”

“Well, the language is from the first inhabitants of the North…”

“Aboriginal?” Bobby asked curiously, glancing at the etchings on the bell. They didn’t look like the usual North American Indian languages he had seen in museums.

“Uh – no – farther North…like well, think Laplanders, Iceland…”

“Ah – Viking script?” Myles guessed.

“Earlier than that.” Tara’s eyes darted nervously around the room. “So…hear me out, okay? Because I got this book at a used book sale and it was full of ancient languages and one of them happened to be elfin…”

“Did she just say…” Sue asked in confusion.

“I’m not sure if that’s what she’s implying but yes…e-l-f,” Lucy finger spelled.

“That’s a good one, Tara – you had me going there,” Bobby laughed readily.

“I’m not joking, Bobby. It’s the most ancient language of the North. More verbal than written, but they had these rudimentary symbols as well. And I copied down the elfabet…that’s elf alphabet…don’t roll your eyes at me Myles Leland…you asked for this information…and I’ve matched each of these symbols here with a letter from the elfabet. It’s definitely conclusive.”

“Aaagh!” Lucy squealed in exasperation. “What’s conclusive. What does the bell say?”

“Your bell, Sue,” Tara looked pointedly at her friend, “the bell you found as a child before you knew any of us…this very bell here in my hand… it says, Jack.”

Kav, you silly woman. Don't you know you are irreplaceable? I am sorry you still aren't feeling well. Maybe it will be an unusually slow day at school and you'll get sent home.....

And what about Sue's letter? Are we gonna be privy to the contents????????????

And observant, protective Jack....*sigh*.....Yup! You guessed it! He ain't too shabby!!!!!

To you know who......

I love it!!!! All day long at work I couldn't wait to come home and read the next installment of your story and you did NOT disappoint! That was great!










That was so cute and funny how they each wanted to protect Sue.






That was a great tie-in to their past.

*applauds loudly and jumps up and down with excitement*

Oh, I LOVE the 'Jack reveal' on the bell - that made my day! That, and the fact that Tara is remembering her Polar Express encounter with Bobby... and the fact that Myles and Jack both want to protect Sue from each other

So sorry you're still sick, Kav

Kav my child and my cat both have amoxicillan why don't you come down and share some? I could make vegetable soup and you could taste test my Christmas baking - watch for snow and ice though! My Jack would curl up with you on the couch and help you write more of the story.

A prophetic bell. Who would have thought? Only Kav!
Sounds like a lot of sickness is going around on the board. A prayer to all who are ill for a speedy recovery.
thanks,
Terie

Kav thats fantastic just hope the bell sats jack
one side and sue the other , I also think they are begining to see
from there past more soon please Lin

Oh my......


~laura michelle~

I wonder if someone is trying to tell them something.....

Great job Kav!!

Do hope that you feel better soon!

BLT

The bell says "Jack" Wonderful...Jack and Sue were connected even as children. Mrs. Claus did say that Jack's heart was already spoken for, even as a boy. The bell is physical evidence that Jack gave his heart to Sue a long time ago.

Kim

just the thing to warm me up after walking in from my car. thanks exactly what i needed.

AWW so cute! I love being able to read into their innermost thoughts... and knowing that they are so similar is hilarious!

Sorry you're still feeling Kav! Hope you feel better soon!

The bell says Jack! I love it! I love how they are all remembering in bits and pieces. It's so exciting!

a fabulous post, kav

hope you feel better soon

cath

Jack the bell, wow could be a relation..... if only.....

i can feel the team emotions thru the words....so brillant

The bell says Jaaack! Jaaack it says! heheheh .. Could there be an even more obvious hint? !!!

How clever. The bell's inscription said Jack. How awesome is that?

Kav, I hope you are feeling better.

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jen

Of course the bell says Jack!!!! I simply love this story Kav

Kimberly

wow! Surprise, surprise! lol

Kav! You know what makes you better? is lots of love sent long distance via computer! so let me say it again today.... I WUV You! (those are for giving me a Bobby/Tara moment!!!)

**Looks around defensively**

Hey now! This is my song!!! and I've been writing it as Kav goes merrily along... Why are there only 3 Jack Hudson searing kisses? Because I was on the third day when he gave her the first one of course! (Do you honestly think I'd be happy with only 2 Bobby Manning dimples if I could help it?) besides, don't forget that on every day of Christmas... it all happens.... EVERY DAY!

**clears throat and looks around apologetically.... getting off defensive box now...**

On the 10th day of Christmas my True Love gave to me: 10 reasons for Sue to give Jack her heart, 9 old letters to Santa, 8 snowdrifts melting... suspiciously, 7 minutes of Sue's intense blushing, 6 hours of Tara's rainbow grilling, 5 minutes of rambling from Howie, 4 bran muffins from Myles, 3 Jack Hudson searing kisses, 2 Bobby Manning dimples and a facesmooshedinthewindow smilie.


** **

Aw, Kav, I hope you start to feel better, soon. A sick Kav is not a happy Kav, right?

Anyway, I just caught up and I am totally engrossed! There is so much that I can comment on, but I think I'll just sit here and bask in the wondeful fuzziness of this story. That's all I can do for right now... better comments will come later. I promise.

I'm with Linny.

Get well soon Kav!

Sam

Kav, you are irreplaceable...
I gasped as soon as I read...

I luv you too!
and i can't remember what the rainbow grilling was... so I guess I must go back and reread some. Poor me

ok i cant find it...i got distracted along the way....

Jack and Myles ... so clueless of each other, it's funny!

Bell says JACK ???

o wow that is just so cool.. it was written in a "bell"that they should be together...how awsome is that...kav i hope your feeling better soon.

take your time...this story is just pure genius....i swear pure genius

Simply wonderful!

I hope you feel better soon.


Ornella

I love this story, can't wait to see what happens next

Kav, I read this first thing this morning, but I kept getting booted out. I know you know how frustrating that is. Now, my husband wants the computer (to pay bills of all things. I suppose I will need electricity to read the rest of your story. So, I guess I'll let him have it.) and I won't get to say everything that I wanted.

Of course I loved the bell. I'm hoping it "rings a bell" for Jack. (Yes, I know that's lame. )

But the part I especially loved was Tara's desciption of Bobby's voice and the melted butter part. Wow! That was so delicious that I couldn't help but lick my lips.

These are for you. Along with (just pretend its a pumpking bar) and this . Hope you feel better soon!

Ah! It says Jack!
I never would have expected that!!
And I love the thing with Myles and Jack. Sue's a lucky gal to have so many handsome men being so overprotective of her...

That was a delicious post... Get better soon!!!!

*and is elfin a real language?

Kav? Are you alright? Getting a little worried... those germs can be so hard to vanquish!!! I'm a bit too far away to send some soup... but I'll be sending good thoughts!! Get well soon!

Ditto!!

Hope you feel better soon Kav!!!

Jen