Here is my entry for this challenge. I am planning on lots of warm fuzzies and laughter. I am starting this story at the end of 'Endings and Beginnings'. Since I am not really sure when that episode took place, I'm setting it at the beginning of November.

An advent is a journey...a journey of discovery...a journey towards a goal. The goal of this journey is a very happy Jack and Sue Valentine's Day. Of course, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." Enjoy.

Valentine Advent

Sarah Anne Jackson struggled to keep the frustration out of her voice as her favorite grandson poured his heart out. “I’ve bumbled it again, Gran.”

“Jack Hudson,” she groaned. “I thought we had this conversation last night. You were going to tell Sue how you felt so she wouldn’t take the job in New York. Don’t tell me she is going anyway?”

“No, Gran. She is staying. It’s just that…” Sarah Anne listened as Jack related how he had stammered and stumbled over the right things to say. Then, just as the right words were about to escape his lips, Myles Leland, III had interrupted, spilling the beans that Sue was staying. “Now I don’t know whether to tell her or just thank God that she is not leaving and let this continue the way it has been going.”

“Jackson Samuel Hudson. After you kept me on the phone for two hours last night rehearsing what you were going to say you didn’t tell her?” Sarah Anne’s frustrated sigh hung in the air. “You know as well as I do you don’t want things to remain the same. She deserves to know the truth Jack and you deserve to know if she returns your feelings. Now march right over to her apartment and tell her!”

“But Gran, it’s late,” Jack argued.

Sarah Anne groaned. “You’re right Jack, it is late. I just hope it’s not too late. Get your hind end over there before I fly to D.C. and carry you over there. Then, you call me back and let me know how it went.” She could hear him starting to protest. “I don’t care what time it is, you call. You hear me Jackson Hudson?”

“Yes ma’am,” Jack relented. She smiled. She knew her grandson knew better than to argue with her.

“Let me give you one of my favorite quotes, Jack,” she smiled. “ ‘Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.’ In other words, Jack, you don’t know what life is going to hold in store. But, you won’t know until you get out there and try. God places people in our lives to love, Jack. The choice to love them is yours to make. You have already chosen to love her. Now choose to tell her.”

After hanging up the phone, she gazed across the living room at her husband. Whit Jackson could be an exasperating man, but she thought her grandson might have topped him on that count. She passed his chair as she returned to her seat on the couch. As she passed, she popped him gently on the back of the head.

“Ouch,” Whit Jackson moaned as he rubbed the offended spot. “What was that for?”

“For passing on your turtle gene to our grandson.” She saw the puzzled look in her husband’s eyes and chuckled. “I just hope Sue Thomas is as patient as I was.”

Something deep inside told her the young blonde who had stolen her grandson’s heart was among the most patient women on earth. Something also told her that the two young people would share a love as strong as the one she and Whit shared. Closing her eyes, she whispered a prayer to heaven, Father, be gentle with those two young people. Protect their hearts until they come to terms with their feelings. Give them the kind of love you have blessed Whit and I with and a long life to share it in. And Father, if you wouldn’t mind, would you mix a little rabbit in with that turtle gene?

More later
Kim

Kim, I am so excited that we're getting a new story from you!

I love the returning characters of Sarah Anne and Whit!



It's so cute that he rehearsed with his grandma!





Yep, Sarah Anne just said what we've all know for a long time! Follow her advice Jack, she's one wise lady!



Oh, my, turtle gene...too funny!



Can't wait for more.

His grandparents have returned... God definitely mix a rabbit with the turtle gene!

Great start....love it....









This had me laughing out loud....





~laura michelle~

The rabbit gene!

A wonderful start!
Looking forward to the journey!

Tracy

a wonderful start, can't wait for more

cath

You have officially made me late. I only have so much time to read in the morning and I told myself I wasn't coming over to the challenge section until tonight and then I told myself I would only see if anyone had started a new story and then I told myself I would only read one and then I told myself I wouldn't post a reply until tonight and then I read yours and here I am and late.

kav

You have to know that I am excited to see this story start. I really enjoy your characters, Whit and Sarah Anne. The line about the rabbit gene was just perfect.

What a great start!! I'm liking Jack's grandmother... she's gentle and loving, but firm. Poor Whit, being blamed for passing on the 'turtle gene'. hehe I think I'm going to like this journey!!

great another story from kim
Great and wonderful post just love jacks grandparents
more soon please Kim Lin

First, I'm excited that you have posted a story in the challenge!! Secondly, I am very excited that you have brought Sarah Anne and Whit with you!!!

Now, Jack, get over to Sue's and tell her (why do I think it's too early in the tale for him to do that??)!!!

Joy

I am so glad to see this story here! What can be better than Jack/Sue fluff????? (Not too many things.)

I'll be checking regularly for this one!

Great job!

Hehe... I love Jack's grandparents. Sarah Anne is so insightful and she's right. He'd better march his keister over there and tell her!

Kim - I am so excited to see you writing about Jack's grandparents again! I loved them in your Christmas story!!!

I can't wait to see what you do with this! J/S fuzzies?! My favorite!!!!

Em

Me too Em. And you gotta love his grandma. I can't wait for more! Post soon please!!

Donna

Just found out the story! I'm so happy you're writing another one, Kim!
Loved the relatioship between Jack and his Gran. Turtle gene!

Ornella

You guys are the greatest! This story is like a box of chocolates, I'm not really sure where it's going yet. Sorry I ran you late for work, Kav. I'll try to do better from now on.

Jack groaned as he hauled himself into his car. He was definitely not a child anymore, yet he wondered how Gran could reduce him to a whimpering toddler with just her voice. He was a big, strong FBI agent, but he was more frightened of a 5’2” 80 year old than he was of the biggest terrorist on the planet.

He knew it was too late to call on Sue, but his Gran had insisted. Even though she was hundreds of miles away in Wisconsin, he knew she would know if he didn’t follow her instructions. Then, there would be hell to pay. He wouldn’t be surprised if she were on the next plane to D.C.

Of course, he knew his Gran was right. He didn’t know what life had in store for him. Only God knew that answer. Still, it looked as if God intended for Jack to be with and love Sue. No matter where his life’s journey had taken him over the past almost four years, he always seemed to be right back where he started from, with Sue. It seemed to him, that the same thing happened with Sue. She always ended up with him. Obviously, they were destined to be together. He knew, however, that even destiny could have a time limit. The fact the Sue could have actually gone to New York had shaken him more than he realized.

As Jack pulled into traffic, he realized that he knew who he wanted to share this life’s journey with. That person was Sue. Please God, don’t let it be too late for us, he begged heaven as he accelerated along the street, heading for the sweetest box of chocolates he would ever find in this life.

***********
Sue relaxed in a steaming bubble bath. It had been a long, exhausting few days. Lucy was at her Grams apartment for the evening, leaving Sue alone to contemplate the direction her life was taking.

She closed her eyes and allowed the warm water to ease the tension from her body and her mind. She knew she had made the right decision. She was meant to stay in D.C. She knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt. Still, she was a little disappointed in Jack’s reaction to the news.

I wonder what Jack was going to say before Myles interrupted, she thought. Blowing her bangs from her eyes, she settled more deeply into the tub. She could only hope that Jack would some day find the courage to finish his conversation. But for now, she was happy to remember the mistiness she noticed in his eyes. It gave her hope that he might have feelings for her the way she did for him. For tonight, it was enough. She could be patient. Jack was the main reason she stayed and the peace she felt once she made that decision told her that in Heaven’s eyes, that was a good enough reason. Of course, a little sign would be nice, she whispered to heaven.

Sue noticed Levi as he nudged the door open. She saw the familiar twinkle in his eyes as he came around the tub and jumped, “Levi, NO!” she yelled. It was too late as she found her lap full of golden retriever. He was covered with bubbles as was her hair, the floor and the walls. “I thought you had learned your lesson about how to get my attention,” she sighed.

After shoving Levi from the tub, Sue stood and put her blue bathrobe around her, pulling the belt tight. “Okay boy, what is it? Phone or door?” She watched as Levi padded towards the door. “Just a minute,” she called to whoever was on the other side of the door.

She unlocked the door and pulled it open. “Jack!” she cried, pulling the robe tighter against her neck. A fleeting feeling of de ja vu washing over her. She had greeted him at her apartment like this almost four years ago. “What are you doing here?” she blushed.

“I, uh. I just wanted to finish our conversation from this morning.” Jack stammered. She wondered why he was suddenly flushed and why he couldn’t seem to look at her. “I can see I have caught you at a bad time, though. Maybe we could finish it over dinner tomorrow night?”

Was Jack Hudson asking her out on a real date? Her mind was spinning at the idea. “Are you asking me out on a date, Hudson?” she asked. Her heart silently prayed that the answer would be yes.

She gasped as Jack’s chocolate brown eyes focused on her face. The dark swirls she found in his eyes took her breath away. Although she couldn’t hear the earnest timber of his voice, she could read the sincerity in his face. “Yes, Ms. Thomas. That is exactly what I am doing. Would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to dinner tomorrow evening?”

“I would be my pleasure, Mr. Hudson,” she replied. She lowered her eyes and tried to focus on a dark spot in the carpet to control her rapid heartbeat.

She felt his hand gently touch her chin, tenderly forcing her to return her gaze to his face. “Would you allow me to take you to breakfast in the morning and then drive you to work as well?”

Sue wondered how she was still standing as she saw the intensity in his eyes. She felt a shiver course down her spine as she gazed into those eyes. “That would be nice, Jack.”

His grin made Sue’s heart leap for joy. “Okay. I’ll pick you up at 7:00, then. Good night.”

“See you at seven. Good night, Jack.” She watched as he turned from her door and headed down the hall. Slowly closing it in his wake, Sue leaned against the door and hugged herself. She squealed with delight as Levi did a doggy dance in front of her. “He asked me on a date, Levi. A real date. Can you believe it?” She all but floated to her bedroom where she dressed in the hockey jersey he had given her that first Christmas and crawled into bed, closing her eyes and dreaming of children with dark brown eyes and winning smiles.

***********
Sarah Anne answered on the first ring. “So did you tell her, Jack?”

Jack grinned at the thought of his grandmother sitting on the sofa in her pajamas waiting for the phone call. “No…”

“Jackson Samuel Hudson…” she started. Jack could hear the irritation in her voice.

“Now wait a minute, Gran. I didn’t tell her how I felt, but I did ask her on a real date. You have to admit that is a step in the right direction.” Jack heard Gran sigh and the resignation in her voice as she answered.

“I’ll admit it is a step in the right direction. But it’s a very small step. Now you call me back tomorrow night and let me know how it goes.” He met his Gran’s orders with silence. “Did you hear me, Jack? Promise me you will call.”

Jack sighed, “I promise, Gran. I’ll call and let you know.”

More later
Kim

Wonderful post Kim!



So cute! I just love Jack's Gran!



With Sarah Anne's help, these two might stand a chance!

I just love Levi!! He really knows how to get Sue's attention!!!

Sarah Anne is just what Jack needs!!!

Joy

Love Sarah Anne and he did something

A good step in the right direction Jack!

I love Jack's grandmother!

wow jack at least its A start you have ask sue for A date
thanks to granma sarah anne I just love her.now jack listern to her
more soon please kim Im loving this Lin

Wow! Now that's what I call a "sign from heaven" that Sue asked for. This is so sweet and cute. Thanks for the lovely post this morning.

Donna

One small step for any other man....one huge step for Jack Hudson.....





~laura michelle~

Hehehehe, as soon as I read that she was in a bubble bath, I had a feeling of deja vu too... and it absolutely fit here! Now I'm going to do a happy dance! He asked her out! He asked her out!!

Oh I loved your Christmas story and Jack's grandparents, the way you write the characters you can actually envisage them in reality and the start of the this story is soooooooooooooooo good. I'll put off the new year diet until I've finished this box of chocolates.

I think you captured their first moments of declaring their feelings to each other splendidly. This is precisely how I envision things opening up for them. They seem so in character to me. Jack didn't come on in cave man mode, but was as we saw him earlier in the hallway when he tried to her how he felt when he thought she was leaving. I loved the
déjà vu experience with Levi and the bubble bath.

A wonderful post!

Thanks,
Tracy

A real date!!!!

I love it Kim!

Em

go gran

cath

i don't know but i would have loved to see those 2 when they where younger...i bet whit was exactly the same. i love those 2. can't wait for the fuzzies

they are going out on a date yeahhhh i can't wait

Yay! I real date! I may be a small step, but it's right. I just hope that they can finish their conversation.

Thanks for reading this, guys.

Whit smiled as he walked into the kitchen the next morning. The woman who had held his heart for the past 58 years sat at the breakfast table, coffee in one hand, pen in the other and a large legal pad on the table in front of her. He could see the wheels turning in her graying head and chuckled. He loved Sarah Anne on a mission.

From the phone conversations of the last few days, Whit knew his favorite grandson was his wife’s latest “project.” He knew she would not be happy until one Jack Hudson and one Sue Thomas were joined in holy matrimony. Although he had not had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Thomas, he had a mental picture of her from Jack’s vivid descriptions. He also knew that Jack was head over heels in love with the woman. His grandson had never talked about any of the other women in his life with the same loving, tender tone of voice and the look of complete adoration in his brown eyes.

As Whit stared at his wife, brow furrowed in thought as her hand flew over the paper in front of her leaving an elegant script in its wake, he knew how Jack was feeling. He had seen the same look in his own eyes when he talked about Sarah Anne. He could hear the tenderness in his own voice as he related her latest exploits. After almost 60 years, he was still head over heels in love with his wife. He could only hope that Jack and Sue would experience the same joy for living and loving that he and Sarah Anne shared.

Whit shook his head as he remembered the nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach the first time he asked Sarah Anne on a “real” date. His hands were shaking and he couldn’t look her in the eye. He was afraid that she would see the love and desire burning in the brown depths. He wasn’t ready for her to know just what he was feeling. It was too soon. And, if he had been honest with himself, he was too afraid of her laughing at him, telling him that he was a fool and she in no way reciprocated his love. It would have killed him. He felt it was better to remain friends than to lose her completely. Then, when he almost lost her, he realized life was too short to not take the risk. He proposed after only three weeks and they were married two months later. Now, almost 59 years later, they were still together, still living and loving.

He had a feeling that his grandson had similar fears when it came to Sue Thomas. He guessed Sarah Anne had been right last night when she told him Jack had inherited his turtle gene. He smiled, I may have been a turtle, but slow and steady won the race. He had a feeling the outcome would be the same for Jack.

Slipping up behind his wife, he slipped his arms around her waist and leaned over her shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent. He chuckled as she startled at his presence. He leaned against her cheek as he read the growing list over her shoulder. “What are you doing, sweetheart?”

“Are you trying to give me a heart attack sneaking up on me like that Whitney Jackson?” she huffed.

Whit placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Not at all sweetheart. Sneaking up on you is a defense mechanism.”

“A defense mechanism?” He laughed at her puzzled expression.

“Yeah. If I hold you close enough, you can’t swat me when I say something cheeky.” He bent down and placed a slow, lingering kiss on her perturbed lips. He felt her arms snake around his neck and he gently deepened the kiss. He sniggered to himself at the though of one of the grandchildren or great-grans barging in on the scene. They would think such public displays of affection by someone his age as “totally gross”, or at least he thought that was the vernacular of the day.

He watched with complete satisfaction as a flustered Sarah Anne pushed him away and tried to regulate her breathing. “What has gotten into you this morning?”

He gave her a dazzling wink and wicked smile, “I just wanted to prove that old saying.”

“And which saying would that be?” she asked, raising her eyebrow at him.

A huge grin spread across his face. “Just because there’s snow on the roof doesn’t mean there isn’t a fire in the fireplace.”

He placed another kiss on her shocked mouth before ducking away from her playful swat. He laughed at the color rising in her cheeks. After all these years, he was elated that he could still make her blush. “Now what are you working on?”

Sarah Anne brushed a hand across her flaming cheeks and furrowed her brow, “A plan to get Jack Hudson to propose to Sue Thomas by Valentine’s Day.” She held up a calendar showing the days until “P” Day. “From today, I have three months.”

Whit raised an amused brow at his wife. “I though you told Jack last night that life was like a box of chocolates and you never know what you are going to get.”

“I did.” He noticed the lively twinkle in Sarah Anne’s hazel eyes as she answered.

“And don’t you usually follow that statement with ‘And God, like the candy maker, is the only one who knows the filling found hidden in each life’?” His eyes twinkled as she squinted at him.

“I do. And for you information, Whitney Jackson I believe that very statement strongly. However, don’t you remember the story of Jonah?”

Whit furrowed his brow in feigned thought. He couldn’t wait to hear this explanation. “Jonah. Let’s see now. Wasn’t he the one that wouldn’t go to Ninevah even though God wanted him to? Then he ran away instead of going so God sent a big fish to swallow him and take him to where he was supposed to go in the first place. Is that the story?”

Sarah Anne rolled her eyes, sending Whit into a fit of laughter. He knew she knew he was very much the Biblical scholar and knew the story forwards and backwards. “That would be the one, Whit. I happen to think that Jack is pulling a Jonah, running in the direction opposite to where God wants him to be. Just think of me as Jack’s big fish.”

A slow smile spread across Whit’s face as he thought of the perfect reply. As his mouth formed the words, he found himself very grateful that he was currently seated at the opposite end of the table from his wife. “Funny, you don’t look like a big fish. Of course, I though I felt the beginning of some gills when I kissed your cheek this morning.” He may have been at the opposite end of the table, but the wet dish rag smacked him dead center in the face. He groaned as he removed the wet object and wiped the water from his face with a napkin. He had momentarily forgotten that Sarah Anne’s aim was never off.

More later
Kim

They are too cute!

I hope Jack and Sue are like that...


~laura michelle~

I am loving this story! Reminds me of me and my husband of 45 years. I guess that's one of the reasons I identify with Jack and Sue. They are my favorite couple.

Anxious to read more soon!!!

Donna

LOL! Love the banter

You know, I hope Jack and Sue are like that when they grow old together.

Kim, that was perfect!



We're all hoping it's true!



That was awesome! Watch out Jack!

The similarities between Sarah Anne and Whit, and Jack and Sue are amazing!!!

Joy

You always beat me to the punch

Loving the story

wonderful conversations, audiokim!

Someone told me that I needed to come over here and read this story - that it was good and I would enjoy it.... She was right! The fluff is melt-iliciously anticipatory - and Jack's grandparents are just delightful!!!!

The only problem is that I ran out of posts LONG before I was ready to... so another post or two or three or ten would be WONDERFUL right about NOW.



(On a side note - Grandmas always know these things before the rest of us do. My husband's grandmother knew as soon as she met me that I was 'the one', and we were just friends. Never even thought about dating - and didn't for three more years. So, kids, listen to grandmothers when it comes to potential life mates. They know what they're doing!)

*looks around* Any more posts appear while I was rambling?

i love whit and sarah anne, jack hasn't got a prayer with his gran working on him

cath

I love Whit and Sarah Anne too! It's nice to read about a couple being happily married for so long. Love the banter.

Another wonderful post!
Looking forward to reading more!

Thanks,
Tracy

What a wonderful example Whit and Sarah Anne are to their grandchildren and great-grans. I totally enjoyed the part when Sarah Anne used the story of Jonah and the fish. I agree that Jack may not have a prayer, but I suspect that is just fine with him. As a matter of fact, I would tend to think that he is praying for the same thing as his grandmother.

Sue checked her hair in the mirror for the hundredth time before she applied a light layer of lipstick to her lips. She had never been more nervous, not even her first day in the Bullpen. Today was the big “D” day with Jack. She glanced at her watch. She had about five minutes before Jack was supposed to arrive to take her to breakfast. She stepped back from the mirror and smoothed the lapels of the dark jacket she was wearing. She was grateful that Lucy had chosen to stay with Grams last night. Sue really didn’t think she could stand the questioning looks. She knew Lucy would want to know what was going on with Jack. The problem was, she wasn’t sure herself.

She sat down on the edge of her bed and stared at the picture of Jack on her nightstand. She realized she must have sighed louder than she intended when she saw a sleepy Levi lift his head and raise his eyebrows at her. “Sorry, buddy. I didn’t mean to wake you up.” She smiled as her faithful friend padded across the room and rested his chin on her knee.

She rubbed his head gently as she gazed into his warm eyes. It astounded her at the unconditional love she always saw radiating from the brown depths. She shuddered as she realized it was a look she often saw in another set of warm brown eyes. “Oh Levi, I have wanted this for so long. I’m almost afraid to hope that this really could be the beginning of something.”

She watched Levi raise his head, twisting it to one side as his muzzle moved in a gentle woof. She chuckled to herself. It seemed as if Levi was trying to give his opinion on the matter. Not for the first time she found herself wishing she could speak dog. Don’t over think this Sue, she told herself. It is a real date, but don’t get your hopes up. She felt Levi’s paw on her knee and turned to look at him. She could tell he barked with more intensity as he turned and padded from the room. She glanced at her watch and realized Jack must be at the door. As she stood up and headed out of her bedroom and towards the door, she realized it was too late. She couldn’t control the hope she felt rising in her heart. She just hoped she could handle the disappointment if Jack backpedaled again.

********
Breakfast passed much too quickly for Jack’s liking. He could have spent the entire day basking in Sue’s presence. His hands had been shaking when he stood at her door earlier. His mouth was dry and his palms were wet. He felt like a schoolboy going on his first date rather than a grown man who had dated his share of women. Still, not one of them made him feel the way Sue did. Standing at her door, he had once again thanked God for second chances and pleaded for it not to be too late for him to win Sue’s heart.

Now, sitting across the table from her, watching her hazel eyes dance as he regaled her in another story from his Quantico days with Bobby, he felt at ease. The sound of her bright laughter and the scent of her perfume warmed his heart. This was where he was meant to be. He was meant to spend his life with the blonde haired analyst who had stolen his heart when she stormed into his life over three years ago. He hated to admit it, but his Gran was right. He was head over heels in love with Sue Thomas. Now, all he had to do was find the courage to tell her. Maybe someday he would. But right now, being with her like this was enough.

He glanced at his watch and groaned. It was time to head into the office. Of course, the quicker we get to work, the quicker work will be over and I can take Sue on our date, he smiled. “I guess it’s time to get to work,” he said, reaching for the check.

He watched as Sue pulled her wallet from her purse. Reaching across the table, he laid his hands on top of hers, gently restraining her from removing the money she had between her fingers. “This is my treat.”

She raised a questioning gaze to him. “Jack, I can…” He shook his head and squeezed her hands.

“I know you can. But I want to.” He allowed his feelings to show briefly in his eyes before lowering his eyes and clearing his throat. He realized he still had her hands clasped in his. He slowly removed his hands and placed them on the table to try to control the shaking in his fingers. “Uh, I just…Well, I didn’t take you out to celebrate the fact that you are staying and, uh. Let’s just consider this a celebratory breakfast instead.” He fought to keep the color from rising in his cheeks. He found himself grateful that Sue was not able to hear the tremor in his voice as he spoke.

Raising his eyes, he caught sight of the twinkle in Sue’s eyes and the shadow of something that filled his heart with hope. “Well if this is a celebratory breakfast, what is tonight?” she quipped. The challenging smile on her lips accelerated his heart rate.

Staring into her eyes with an intensity he did not try to hide, he answered honestly, “A date.” He smiled to himself as a soft blush of pink touched Sue’s cheeks. He knew he had still not admitted his feelings, yet he was no longer trying to hide what his voice couldn’t quite seem to admit.

More later
Kim