It's so close to wrapping up... I can't help it! I love this story! so... as a Sunday gift to you... my ohana Dress shopping 101!
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Sunday 2/11… 3 PM… Tyson’s Corner Center

Tara poked her head out of the dressing room and looked at Sue and Lucy. “You know… I know that Wednesday is supposed to be all romantic and everything, right?”

Lucy laughed. “Yes, Tara. Most couples prefer the alone time to be all romantic and everything.” She exchanged a glance with Sue, who shrugged.

Tara rolled her eyes. “Work with me here!” She complained. “But that’s just the thing. When have any of us actually done things as expected?” Sue looked confused. “We’ve been trying to get around your disappointment of last night, but what if we’re off base. The fact that you and Jack have been dating came about after quite a bit of subterfuge, you know.”

Lucy grinned. “That’s right. Levi running around the bullpen with his collar saturated with your shampoo.”

“The notepad you were using on our stakeout, saturated with Jack’s cologne…”

“And a surveillance assignment for the two of you to be alone… in a van… while the rest of us were inside at the party.” Lucy completed.

Sue smiled. “Yes, yes. So what’s your point?”

Tara smirked. “So… who cares if we have plans? We work for the FBI… surely there is a stakeout that needs to happen on Wednesday night.”

Lucy’s eyes narrowed. “And the two of you could be sharing another romantic evening in the van, while Bobby and Tara are under cover.”

“Or staking out on the opposite alley…” Tara corrected.

Sue raised a brow. “Are you sure that wouldn’t be making out on the opposite alley?”

Tara blushed and pulled her head back into the dressing room. “You know, I’m really liking this dress.”

Sue looked at Lucy. Lucy rolled her eyes and signed DRESS LIKES SHE. "Well, let's see it." Lucy called.

Tara pushed open the curtains across the doorway and stepped out. She turned around slowly to let them see the entire dress. “Well?” She asked when she was facing Sue.

Sue and Lucy were only able to nod their approval of the dress, until Sue signed BEAUTIFUL. It was a beautiful, ivory colored gown. Strapless, the bodice was shirred and close fitted from the sweetheart neckline. It fell to just below the waistline, where the skirt flowed. The skirt was made of a layer of satin topped with multiple layers of tulle. Tara looked like a princess in it. The top layer of tulle had some beading threaded throughout so it sparkled. They had to laugh when they took a closer look at the back of the dress. Tiny buttons went the entire way from where the skirt started up to the top of the dress. The sales associate had been buttoning her into the dress when she was talking to them. “Guess what?” Tara chuckled. “There’s 75 of the buttons. Bobby’s gonna be mad at me when he’s busy trying to undo them all.” They all laughed. Tara went back into the dressing room so she could change back into her clothes. She emerged, followed by the associate who carried the dress out to the register so she could ring the purchase up. Tara sat next to Lucy and slipped her socks and shoes back on. “You know, you had the right idea. Finding my dress was crucial to the look that we will have at the front during the ceremony.”

Lucy nodded. “Yes. Now that we know you’ll be the fluffy floaty one, we can figure out the perfect compliment to it.”

Sue grinned at Tara. “I think you’ll be spending a little more time trying to figure out what you’re going to tell Bobby about the buttons.” Tara giggled and nodded.

They went back out to the front of the store and started to search for the bridesmaid dresses. They decided to look solely by color. Once they’d found the dresses in aqua they could examine them more closely to determine what style was most flattering. “Tara…” Sue asked. “Were you serious about giving up your first official Valentine’s day with Bobby to help me?”

Tara looked up from the brocade bodice she was looking at. “Sure. Why not? Bobby and I already know we’ve got Valentine’s locked up for the rest of our lives. And it’s a Wednesday night, I highly doubt that we’d actually be able to do anything properly after work..” She set aside the dress she was holding and moved on to the next. “Besides, he more than made up for it last night. We went to the laser show, it was set to Mojo Gogo.” Tara sighed. “It has been just such a strange weekend anyway. I’m sure that we’ll actually get to the romantic part next weekend.”

Sue frowned. “Strange weekend? What happened?” she asked, as she held a dress up to herself and studied it in the mirror. Tara filled her and Lucy in on Darcy’s unexpected appearance in the parking garage.

Lucy scowled. “Well, at least you set her straight.” She pulled a dress from the rack and looked at it. “Tara… what do you think about this one?”

Tara studied the aqua dress; she reached for the skirt and gently moved it back and forth. She grinned when she saw the blue glint of shimmer in the light. “Well, it’s got the aqua iridescence down.” She looked at it, tilting her head. “What do you guys think about it?” It had a long straight skirt and the top… Tara’s breath caught in her throat when she looked at the top of the dress. “It’s beautiful.” She breathed. It was cut straight across and had spaghetti straps. It had intricate silver brocade stitched across the top of it. The brocade narrowed and spaced out into nothing as it extended down the entire bodice.

Sue smiled. “It is beautiful.” She reached for it, examining how it shimmered with the blue undertones. “Shall we try it on, Luce?” Sue checked the size of the one she was holding. “Ah! Perfect, it’s my size. See you in the dressing room.”

Lucy laughed and searched for one in her size. She looked at Tara. “Do you really think we can prod Jack into actually asking the question by sticking the two of them in a surveillance van?” She found one in Tempe’s size and handed it to Tara.

Tara sighed. “If anything, it would allow Sue to take the lead and pop the question. I know Jack has the ring.” She located a dress in Lucy’s size and handed it to her. “Go on. I’ll be in there in a moment. I need to make some calls.” Lucy nodded and headed in to try on the dress. Tara flipped open her phone and called Tempe. ‘Shoot. Voicemail.’ She thought. “Hey Tempe, its Tara. Listen, we found the dresses. I’ve got one in your size; I’ll go ahead and get it for you. You can pay me back later. Talk to you soon.” She headed into the dressing room, dialing Bobby as she walked.

“Manning.”

“Hey Koala Boy….”

“Tara luv, how’s it going today?”

“Found my dress, so it’s going well. Sue and Lucy are actually trying on a dress now that looks like it just might be the one.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that. So what’s going on?”

“We didn’t have any, like, special plans for Wednesday, right?”

Bobby chuckled. “All our plans are special. What are you trying to say?”

Tara laughed. “Listen. We need a stakeout assignment or something that will allow us to shut Jack in the surveillance van with Sue again. On Wednesday.”

“Kinda one of those… it’s the first place where they kissed and it wasn’t undercover so why not re-create the moment?”

“Exactly. Isn’t that what we did by going to Café Aria and having the same dinner we did on our first date?”

“Excellent point. I’ll poke around and see what I can find. Maybe D will have some ideas as well.”

“Hold on there, Koala Boy. Don’t get too carried away, we just need an assignment. Sue will take it from there. OK?”

“Got it. Talk to you later luv.”

“Of course. Love you.” Tara hung up the phone and took a seat waiting for Sue and Lucy to model the dresses. They quickly decided that the dresses were indeed perfect and headed to have their purchases rung up. Tara made sure to talk with Lucy and fill her in on the new plan for Wednesday. “Well, got to go, stash my dress away in the far reaches of my closet so Bobby won’t find it.” Tara said, with a laugh. “We’ll discuss shoes and other essentials later.”

Lucy hugged her. “The plan is coming together nicely. We’ll finalize things tomorrow for Wednesday.” Tara agreed and hugged her back before turning to Sue.

“Trust me. Wednesday will be good. Bobby’s checking into some things for us. Don’t you worry.” She told Sue.

Sue smiled and hugged Tara. “Well, I did come to the decision that if he hadn’t made a move by Wednesday, I’d do it for him.” She laughed. “Means to an end and all that, right?”

Tara nodded. “I think Tempe would say it was high time he was unseated from his position as the alpha male in your relationship. He’s too hesitant.” They all laughed as they headed to their cars to go home.

Aww this is going to be so special!

I love that the women are taking charge of things!!!! Someone's got to do it, right?

and I can't wait to the wedding!!! Bobby is going to turn mad with the tiny buttons!!!

I could just shake Jack sometimes!! Why didn't he ask her???

I like the plan for Wednesday!! And, so be it if Sue has to ask him!!!

The dresses sound beautiful!! Good choice!!!

Joy

**Giggle** Sorry... 'All our plans are special, what are you trying to say' just made me giggle outloud and fall off my chair. don't you just love it when your dialogue makes you laugh because you totally forgot you wrote that line? Anyway,.... this is almost like a final countdown.... there's only 3 total posts left including the one below...
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Wednesday, 2/14… 10 AM…. Bullpen

Tara looked across the bullpen at Bobby, his head bent over a file for the stakeout tonight and smiled. He had picked her up and taken her out to breakfast this morning. Her hand made it’s way to the diamond heart pendant necklace that he gave her. It matched her ring in the setting. Tara sighed. She wished that she’d known he was going to be so sweet about what he gave her. She at least would have sprung for more than one new tie for him, even if the tie that he was now wearing proudly sported a nice new tie tack. He looked up and grinned, winking at her. Tara blushed and looked down at her own file for tonight’s stakeout. They had managed to volunteer for support duty for an assignment that white collar was working on. They needed two teams, one outside a restaurant; the other on the opposite corner. Bobby pulled the right strings and managed to get Jack and Sue assigned to be one team and him and Tara to be the other team. Tara had pulled Sue into a hurried conference in the ladies room to fill her in before the morning briefing. “Sue, it’s the perfect thing. You and Jack, alone in a car with some surveillance equipment. Very romantic. And so fitting if you think about your relationship. I think Jack was feeling like it would be too cliché to ask you to marry him on Valentines. But if you think about it, you started dating on Halloween, after dancing around the issue for over 3 years. You guys are a relationship cliché.”

Sue giggled. “I like the idea. He’s been strangely nervous about something since Saturday and has found many excuses to not be alone with me.” She frowned slightly. “You’re not wrong about this, are you? What if he’s trying to break up with me?”

Tara’s eyes widened. “Oh, Sue… no, I promise on a stack of bouncing Tiggers.” She bit her lip wondering if she should divulge her source. She sighed, there was just no way around it. “He told Bobby. He’s been bugging Bobby since the night that they found out about Booth’s nickname for me. Asking him how he knew it was the right time to ask me to marry him.” She patted Sue on the arm. “And trust me, I am fully aware of the lengths Jack is taking to avoid being alone with you.” She scowled darkly. “I haven’t been alone with Bobby since Saturday, myself. Well… until breakfast this morning.” She unconsciously touched the pendant hanging around her neck. “Don’t worry about Jack, he’s been a good boy… he’s been crashing my dinners with Bobby.”

Sue laughed. “I’m sorry Tara. If he wasn’t so scared of being alone with me, I could have made sure he wasn’t being a nuisance.” She frowned slightly. “I’m surprised at him. He commented that we really don’t hang out with you two as often anymore, now that you’re engaged. I was so sure he was using that as his platform into the question.”

Tara smiled. “Maybe he was, and then your great beauty made him forget all about the right question.” They laughed together. “So, don’t act too disappointed when we get the assignment this morning. Tonight is your night. Make sure you use that strawberry body splash we picked up on Sunday. Never forget that strawberry drives him crazy. Oh, I grabbed this for you when I was looking for shoes last night.” She handed Sue a new lipgloss.

“Strawberry Milkshake?” Sue questioned. Tara nodded and signed STRAWBERRY JACK CRAZY. Sue grinned. “Ok, ok. I get it. Strawberry scented and flavored things drive my boyfriend crazy. Although, I find that strange that you know that better than I do.” They dissolved into giggles at the memory of how that knowledge came to be in the hands of Tara and Lucy. They linked arms and headed back into the bullpen for the morning briefing.

I love that Sue's still nervous about this....too cute!

I love the fact that Jack's been avoiding her by crashing into Bobby and Tara's time together.... such a silly boy.... **shrugs** This post is by far one of the sweetest ones I think I've ever written for Bobby.... that guy.... **sighs deeply** Such perspective...
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Bobby and Jack headed down to SOG after lunch, to sign out the equipment that they would need for the surveillance assignment. Bobby looked at Jack in the elevator. “So, Sparky… you’re what, T plus 4 and counting now?”

Jack scowled at Bobby. “Shove it, Crash. I’ll admit it, I choked.” He frowned, running a hand through his hair, so it stood up wildly. “I don’t know why, but when it’s important for me to tell her something, I just end up saying something completely different. It’s always been that way for me.”

Bobby grinned at him. “I know. You wouldn’t be the same old Sparky if you didn’t get all tripped up in talking to Sue. But listen, mate. Don’t be pressured into something just because you think it’s the right thing. Tara and I discovered major history, you know? It’s not everyday that you get slammed upside the head with how perfect this person is for you because you discovered that you used to be pen pals 20 years ago.”

Jack nodded. “That’s just too perfect, you and Tara… pen pals. That’s a lot of history to overcome.”

“We had a lot of issues to overcome anyway. Darcy cheating on me, Stanley cheating on her… and then the whole gambling thing overlapping with her least favorite of childhood memories.” Bobby sighed. “The fact that she could get over that and not hold it against me, well… what more could I do than ask her to put up with me… Ever After.”

“Maybe we’re in our Ever After… We got together… why isn’t that enough?” Jack pondered aloud. Bobby laughed at him. Jack scowled at him again. “What? Why is it, every time I open my mouth lately, you’re laughing at me.”

“Sparky, I’m laughing with you… you’re just choosing not to laugh.” Bobby pointed out, still chuckling as they walked into the SOG equipment closet. “Look… I’m only telling you this because it’s what best mates do. Jack… Wake up! It’s Sue… beautiful, considerate, helpful, lovely, smart… sweet… Sue.” He looked at Jack closely, stifling a chuckle at the dreamy look that had come over Jack’s face. “Are you honestly willing to risk if this ‘ever after’ could be so much more? Sue’s idea of ‘ever after’ might be completely different than yours. Look at D and Donna. Can’t you see that sort of support? Little Sparky’s running around with those eyes of yours and Sue’s blonde hair? Maybe a little princess of a girl who’s got her daddy so wound around her little fingers, that when she turns the patented Hudson puppy dog eyes on you, you can’t help but want to give her the world?” Bobby looked at Jack, who’s face registered that these were things he hadn’t fully considered. “Spark… she’s not going to be able to give you that sort of ‘ever after’ if you’re not willing to go that far and ask the right thing. She’s not that kind of woman to be satisfied for grabbing whatever crumbs you give her. She won’t commit like that without the wedding.” Bobby reminded him.

Jack rubbed his hands over his face, deep in thought as Bobby grabbed the equipment and they headed back to the elevator. “You’re right, Bobby. I’ve been taking her for granted again.”

“Again?” Bobby questioned.

Jack nodded. “Before she almost left, I used to just take it for granted that she would go with me to question people or want to grab dinner after work. I rarely bothered to ask her if she wanted to. But when she almost left, things were a little tense between us. Remember? She’d go with you and Tara or even Myles instead of me. D and I spent a lot of time pounding the pavement early in the summer together. It wasn’t until that night we all were at the grocery store together that I realized how careless I’d been with her friendship.” He paused as the rest of his realizations from that night came back to him. “And I… I didn’t think that I could stand to see her with anyone else… having anyone else’s kids.” He turned an astonished face to Bobby. “How could I forget that? What am I supposed to say to her?”

Bobby smiled and slapped Jack on the back with his free hand. “Tell her all of that.” He advised. “Don’t just blurt out the question. Tell her what you remember and apologize for doing it again, taking it for granted that she’d just be happy dating you.” Jack nodded and took half of the equipment as they headed back into the bullpen.

I totally agree! I love Bobby and he was just so sweet here!
So funny!

Another great one!

Have I mentioned how much I love Bobby?

More soon please

LOL! Oh Jack! You just need some courage , strength and faith!

They are just two funny both pairs of friends

Awesome job!!! Favorite line so far "Tell her that"

They'll get these two together yet!! Tara and Bobby both had good advice for Jack and Sue!! I love Jack finally putting everything together and realizing that dating Sue "ever after" wasn't what he wanted!!!

Joy

And you left me here speechless...

Ah yes.... **nods head excitedly** I am the newest hero! I have the ability to render readers completely speechless and melty.... LOL so it looks like I'm breaking this up a bit into some smaller posts.... truly a 'final countdown'.... T minus 3 and counting.... LOL
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Wednesday 2/14.... 9 PM..... DC street

Bobby and Tara sat in the car, watching the restaurant.... taking pictures of who was going in and noting the time. Well.... truth be told they were taking that in shifts. One of them always had an eye on the restaurant and the other snuck peeks over at Jack and Sue on the opposite corner to see what was going on in their car. "Man... I hate this." Tara muttered after she looked and saw that Jack was completely focused on the restaurant and seemingly ignoring Sue.

"What? You hate being with me?" Bobby teased, not taking his eye off the restaurant. "That could be an issue."

"Oh not that." Tara glanced at him briefly and saw his grin. "I think we should spend every special evening working." She said seriously, unable to hide her smirk.

Bobby stopped grinning and looked at her. He exhaled when he saw that she was also teasing. "Then, Tara luv... what do you hate?" He questioned.

"I can't talk to Sue without talking to Jack first." Tara groaned. "And he's not talking to her, because he's too darn dedicated to the job at hand."

Bobby chuckled. "So tell him a nonsense word that will make sense to Sue. Sparky doesn't need to look at her to listen." He suggested.

Tara looked at him fondly. "Ah.... now I remember why I'm marrying you." She teased. "You're completely right. Sue's just been sitting there watching. This is probably the lonliest Valentines day she's ever had... And she's actually with Jack!" She said, exasperated with Jack's attitude lately.

Bobby smiled. "Possibly They're probably holding hands though." He remarked, looking down at where their own hands were intertwined and resting on the middle console. Bobby lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. "I love you and am very glad for this time together."

Tara rolled her eyes at him. "Love you too." She smiled and activated the comm link. "Jack."

"What?" Jack's voice came through, sounding annoyed at being bothered.

"Tell Sue strawberries." Tara insisted, making no further comment to him, even though he protested and whined about needing to look away from the restaurant to talk to her.
Tara sighed. "No wonder Sue thought he was trying to break up with her." She muttered. Bobby laughed. "Ok, Koala Boy. Let's see what happens now over there in their car."

This ought to be good

Sad, but true.

Strawberries Yes, let's see what happens now!

Strawberries...good word!

this is gonna get interesting.... tee hee hee!
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Jack was puzzled by Tara's request, but when she didn't provide him any further explanation, he shrugged and turned to Sue. "Sue?" He tapped her hand to get her attention as Levi was hunkered down in the back seat, totally absorbed in his newest love.... Valentine Bunny, who was really not a bunny but a bear. Levi didn't care, he looked up and snuffed before returning to lavishing kisses on his newest favorite thing in the whole world because it came from Jack.

Sue looked at him. "What? Shouldn't one of us still be watching?" she asked, a slightly sarcastic tone stealing into her voice.

Jack smiled. "Bobby and Tara are watching. Tara wanted me to tell you strawberries." He looked at her thoughtfully, his mind suddenly wisked away to a strawberry patch in the sun as a faint scent of strawberry invaded his nose. "Do you know why?"

Sue looked over at Bobby and Tara's position and caught a glimpse of Tara's grin and a big thumbs up before she pointed at her watch. Sue bit her lip and lowered the binoculars. She looked again through them in time to see Tara sign TIME. Sue sighed. Tara's message was unmistakeable. It was time for her to make her move and call Jack's bluff. She trusted Tara's judgement, knowing full well that it came to Tara from Bobby. So in reality, it came down to her full trust in Bobby.

Sue took a deep breath. "Jack." She said finally. She saw him start to look at her, and panicked. She was afraid if she had to look at those eyes, she'd never get out what needed to be said. "It's ok, Sparky. You can keep watching. You can hear just fine." She smiled when he nodded and turned his eyes back to the restaurant. Sue activated the comm link so that Tara and Bobby could hear on their side. It was a little covert op tech that Tara had rigged for her at her request. She wanted witnesses, in case this didn't go down as expected. "Jack, I love you very much. But it's recently come to my attention that you do actually have a whole new set of qualities that drive me crazy." Sue said, referring to a long ago comment from when they'd wrapped up their undercover marriage.

Jack looked at her in surprise. Sue held up a hand. "See... I always thought your hesitant nature when it comes to me was sweet. That the way you look at me and wink... that it would be enough if only I knew that you truly meant every single smile, glance or wink. I adore your protectiveness and your strength. They never fail to remind me of how much you love me. But..." Sue took a deep breath. "But it's not enough Jack. I NEED an ever after. Every girl WANTS an ever after. And as much as it's killing me to HAVE to lay this out for you, I NEED to KNOW where we're going with this... this..." Sue wiped a tear from her cheek. "Jack Hudson... If you would like to pursue an ever after with me... and gosh... I sure HOPE you do.... would you marry me to pursue it?" She bit her lip as she looked down at her hands. She'd been unaware that her hands had supported her words by signing some of the important words, but she hoped that he'd felt her urgency.

Jack was stunned. She was telling him the same things that Bobby had prodded him about. He shook his head lightly to clear it. Jack looked at her and gently turned her chin to look at him. "Before I answer that..." He said. "I need to apologize to you." Sue quirked a brow at him. Jack grinned sheepishly. "I've been taking you for granted again, like I did over the summer and I'm really SORRY" He signed it as he spoke.

"See... Sue... This summer it dawned on me that I really didn't think I could stand to see you find your ever after with anyone else. But somehow... since October, I've not managed to tell you that." Sue looked at him, still unsure of where he was going with this. Jack sighed. "I love you. I have no intention of ever letting you go. You're one of the most determined, peaceful, strong women I've ever met. Sue ... if this sort of ever after... the one with the hesitant, sometimes overly protective prince is the one you really want... Then I'm in." Jack grinned and winked at her. "Sue Thomas, would you be my ever after and do me the considerable honor of being my wife?" Jack fished the ring box out of his pocket and gave it to her.

Sue's eyes had widened as he was talking until they were as round as saucers. She looked away from his lips... those perfect lips.... to look at the ring. She grinned as she looked at the simple quarter carat round diamond in it's simple gold setting. "Oh Jack." She murmured. Sue looked at him, her adoration shining at him through her eyes.

"Hey Spark?" Bobby's voice broke across the line. "Are you gonna kiss her or what?"

BOBBY Jack signed, when Sue saw his look. "Listen, Crash. She hasn't said yes yet." Sue giggled.

"But have you?" Tara asked. "She did ask you first, Jack."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Sue." He said. Sue looked at him. "My answer's yes if your answer is yes."

Sue took the ring out of the box and slipped it on her finger. "Yes Jack." She said. LOVE MUCH ME YOU She signed, grinning when he mimicked her hand movements.

"Hey Crash! Watch the door." Jack said as he switched off his comm link and pulled Sue to him. He grinned at her as he lowered his head to hers and kissed her soundly.

Although she did propose first

awwwwwww
Lucky them to get to witness this!

What a great way to end a scene.

Somebody HAD to do something! LOL ok... here it is.... the we are at T minus 0 and no more counting.... It's been a joy to write... and of course... furthers our need for more Bobby/Tara moments.....
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Bobby glanced at Tara. "Well...."

Tara grinned. "Yeah. Those two are quite eloquent when they're forced to be alone with each other." They laughed together, eyes back on the restaurant.

"Tara..." Bobby stopped laughing so Tara looked at him.

"Yes, Koala Boy?" She asked, studying him critically when he visibly paled in the moonlight.

"What are we going to do with them when Sue decides it's time for kids?" Bobby asked, eyes wide at the horror of explaining the possible expense account to Randy.

Tara's jaw dropped and she thought for a moment. "Never thought about that." She said slowly. Her eyes started to sparkle when she saw Bobby's brow still furrowed.
"How 'bout we leave that to them to figure out. If Sparky still can't follow through, they're on their own... unless Levi has a great idea."

"Sounds like a plan. It'll be Wonderdog's turn." Bobby chuckled.

When it was finally time for the replacement shift to show up, they drove off in the opposite direction from Jack and Sue, exchanging a wave with them as they drove by. Tara sighed happily as Bobby headed home. "Well... that's that."

"What's that?" Bobby asked.

Tara shrugged. "Ever afters." He quirked a brow at her as they stopped at a stoplight. "You know... Happily ever after. For ever after. What ever after?"

Bobby nodded, catching on. "Who ever after." He grinned. "I get it, Tara luv. But I think the one I like best is you and me ever after always."

Tara laughed. "You're so lucky I love you ever after always because that barely makes sense. But I get it." She stretched, stifling a yawn. "It's been quite a week, and it's only Wednesday. Supervising those two... finding my dress..."

"Putting up with me..." Bobby supplied.

"That's a constant." Tara teased as they headed up to his place. Bobby slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. "But it's a constant that I'm clearly signed up for, heart and soul." Bobby laughed.

Tara was all snuggled in his bed when he came to crawl in beside her. Bobby carefully... with a loving gaze, locked with hers.... separated the sheet from the comforter and slid in. "There." He said as he pulled her close before reaching up to turn off the light. "Tomorrow's a brand new day in a whole new ever after for Sue and Sparky." He commented.

Tara smiled and rested her head on his chest. "I can only hope that their ever after starts off as wonderful as ours has been so far." She looked up at him. "So was it worth it?"

Bobby frowned. "Worth what?" he asked, brushing a kiss across her lips.

"The countdown?" She asked, referring to his prior teasing of Jack.

Bobby grinned. "Well... Sue got her ever after, right?" Tara nodded. "Then, I'd say it was a very worthwhile effort to provide Jack with a countdown, even if it turned into a bit of a count up until Sue trumped his bluff." Bobby brushed a kiss to the top of her head. He nudged her slightly when she didn't answer. He angled his head down to glance at her face, surprised to find that she was already asleep in the comfortable protection that he provided. "Ah... Good night Tara luv..." He murmured his own eyes drooping. "Catch you in our ever after...." His eyes closed and his breathing leveled to match hers as they drifted off to sleep, content in whatever their ever after would bring.

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THE END The story continues in: Game of Life.

Nicely done...I liked it a lot

That was great hun, i loved it

Beautiful ending! Thanks for sharing your wonderful story with us! I loved it!

What a wonderful constant to have to put up with.

Loved it!

beautiful mione! i love the time line and how the stories seem to meld together...

Ahhh it's all over

Great story loved it!!!!

Feel free to write some more if you so desire...

after all don't we have at least one to go to...

Wonderful!
I laughed so much thanks to this story! And Bobby and Tara are so cute!
You did an amazing job, mione! I can't wait for the sequel!

Ornella

Man I hate not being able to keep up with current postings! but I have to admit it was a lovely treat to sit here in my flannel jammies, fluffy slippers and my ever faithful box of kleenex and forgot about wallowing in my misery for a while. And you had Sue propose! Don't know whether I should or about that....but honestly, someone had to move that relationship forward. Obviously Jack hadn't learned anything from Bobby's example. And having the two couples in sight of each other! Poor Sparky -- he's never going to live that one down I fear...thought at least Myles wasn't around. That would have been worse. Great continuation to your saga -- and yes, it's nice to have a Bobby Tara fix!

kav

It was nice to read it in one setting.

I think Tara would agree it was worth it.

Great story, Mione !

aawwww, so cute! I always love it when it comes to the proposal part

are you going to do some wedding posts too??

cuz your stories are just

I'm counting on a lovely sequel.

Wonderful story!! I had to laugh at Jack and Sue in the car!! I agree that the only way they were going to move forward would be for Sue to make a move!!!

Bobby and Tara are great friends to Jack and Sue!! They went to considerable trouble to move Jack along!!!

Thanks for sharing!! A very enjoyable read!!!

Joy