QUOTE

“Is this sudden bout of jerkism a new acquisition or is it some dormant talent you have just begun to discover?"

Wonderful, Lucy....go get him...

QUOTE

“Hurt her?!” Lucy laughed sarcastically. “And you think picking me over her didn’t hurt her, Bobby? Were you born an idiot or was it an acquired trait?” She heard him begin to try to defend himself. “Don’t answer that! What I would like to know is why. Why do you think choosing her as a partner in Jack and Sue’s experiment would hurt her?”

That's it...go for the jugular! That's the Lucy we all know and love!

Oh, that was perfect, Kim, absolutely devine, the best description of his vulnerability and depth of feeling for Tara.

Now, what is Lucy going to say to that?

I'm all caught up and guess I will now have to wait like everyone else to find out. Please come back and post tonight so I won't have to wait 4 days to find out.

Lynn

Or by 9a tomorrow, my etd (estimated time of departure.)

What a perfect post! First I was laughing at Lucy's tirade but now i'm over Bobby. Now he just needs to tell Tara!

Lucy letting it rip on Bobby that was awesome!

Now Bobby, I was hoping you had a better excuse for the stunt you pulled, but you didn't even have an excuse other than that you love Tara, but I firmly believe that you love someone that way you love Tara that you would want to be with her regardless of the circumstances...I hope you are going to explain this theory to us all.

Happy fourth Kim!!!!

Happy 4th Guys!

Lucy’s mouth dropped open as she fell into the chair beside Bobby’s desk. He couldn’t have just said what I think he said, she thought as she stared at the Australian. She closed her eyes and shook her head almost violently. She took her index fingers and stuck them into her ear canals, rubbing vigorously. “What did you say?” she squinted at him.

Bobby smiled softly, wiping away the tear. “I love her, Luce.”

Lucy just stared at the man dumbly, not sure how to respond to his confession. She closed her mouth, shaking her head softly. “You love her?” she finally managed. He nodded gently. The fury rushed through her like a fire over dry brush. She leaned forward in her chair, placing her hands on either side of the desk, pushing herself into a semi-standing position. “Well, Robert Manning, you sure have a funny way of showing it.” She straightened to her full height, placing her hands on her hips. “You say you love Tara and then you pull a stunt like you did today? Were you dropped on your head as a baby or something?” She resisted the urge to rap him on the forehead with her knuckles. “What is wrong with you, Bobby?”

“Look, Luce,” Bobby replied as he stood up and faced the rotor. “There is no way I can make you understand. So let’s just say I’ve screwed up again and leave it at that.” He sighed heavily, sitting back down in the desk chair. He placed his elbows on his desk and held his chin in his hands. “At least now Tara can get past this and move on.” He moved his face through his hands, resting his forehead against his palms.

He felt a warm hand on his arm. He raised his head to see her dark eyes, softer and filled with concern gazing at him. He noticed the small wrinkles between her eyes as she frowned at him. “Is that what you want,Bobby,” she murmured. “For Tara to get past you and move on?”

“No,” he admitted. He shook his head, feeling the ache in his heart growing bigger. “It’s not what I want, but I think it’s what Tara needs.”

“What if it’s not what Tara wants?”

Bobby sighed, leaning back in his chair. “It’s what she deserves, Lucy. She deserves to be able to find someone who isn’t going to hurt her with some insensitive comment about a former flame or lead her to rack and ruin due to…” He stopped short. Only Jack, and probably Sue knew about his gambling problem. And for the moment, he wanted to keep it that way. “Poor financial planning,” he finished. “She deserves a man I can’t seem to be.”

Lucy swallowed the lump in her throat. Two of her dearest friends in the world were hurting, one because she didn’t think she was his “type” and the other, in his own backward way, thinking the same thing. “But what if she wants the kind of man you are, Bobby?” She watched as he gave her a blank stare. She smiled warmly. “You know, Jack and Sue…”

“I’m not Jack and Tara is not Sue!” Bobby shouted. He leaned forward in his chair as he gazed into the rotor’s eyes. She winced at the anger and disillusionment swirling in the darkening depths. “And that’s why this will never work. The kind of love those two have isn’t meant for everyone, Luce.”

“So you’d rather not even try, is that it Bobby?” Lucy snapped. She leaned forward, challenging the Australian. “Just because you aren’t Jack and Tara isn’t Sue means that you two don’t deserve that kind of happiness, right?” She watched as her words hit home, Bobby’s eyes calming and his face falling. “Well I’m here to tell you that you are wrong. You and Tara do deserve that kind of happiness. And I think you two do have that kind of love. You are both just too scared to admit it.” She reached over and placed her hand on top of his, gathering his larger one into her smaller one. “You’re right, Bobby. You aren’t Jack Hudson. But that doesn’t mean you can’t follow his example. You can face your fears and tell her how you feel.” She smiled as Bobby’s eyes showed a spark of hope as he gazed at her.

“What if she won’t listen, Luce?” he whispered. “This isn’t the first time I’ve messed up with her, you know. But what if this was the time that pushed her away forever?”

Lucy’s heart ached at the despair she saw creeping into his eyes and the tears ringing in his words. “Then you make her listen, Bobby. We all make mistakes, my friend. And when someone really loves us, the way I know Tara loves you, then they will give us second and third and even fourth chances.”

“You think so?”

Lucy smiled warmly, squeezing his hand gently. “I know so, Bobby.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Lucy turned at the sound of the soft, sad voice that penetrated the Bullpen. Her heart fell as she saw Tara standing in the doorway, her eyes filled with more tears. She was staring at their joined hands, her face twitching with disappointment as a false realization settled in her eyes. “I just…” She spun on her heels and ran from the room, her soft sobs echoing through the empty corridor.

“Tara!” Lucy shouted, dropping Bobby’s hand and rushing to the door. She groaned as she watched the elevator doors slide shut. Great, she moaned, throwing her hands in the air. Just great!

More later
Kim

Kim, you really got me with Bobby's lone tear and "Because I love her", and I think you got Lucy too!!!

You posted when I was posting!! Poor Tara!! Jumping to conclusions, I know, based on Bobby's outburst!! Lucy, you need to go find her and talk to her!!!

Joy

Oh man...not again!

I think you got to all of us as Bobby admitted to Lucy that he loves Tara. Oh, the unfortuate timing of it all that Tara should walk in when she did.

Oh such a wonderful exchange, Kim. I can visualize every word and action by Bobby and Lucy. And then Tara, seeing Lucy and Bobby's hands clasped must have been the final straw.

Did she hear anything? Hmmm, must not have, or if so, only that last exchange, else she wouldn't have run away. Go find her Lucy and explain. Knowing Tara, she's going to so not listen to you, though. You'll have to be very persuasive just to get her to listen.

Lynn

OH no... poor Tara....

You know... I think that Bobby's got some explaining to do... Lucy won't be able to do it...

Kim... You're going backward in that story, you need to fix that ... and send some chocolate our way while we wait

runr bobby run and grab her (kicking and screaming if neccesary£ and make her listen!1

OH bobby bobby your just like jack in many ways thick
now get off your butt and go and fix it with tara tell her everything
NOW MOVE and dont do A jack and back paddle more soon please
pretty please Kim
Lin

Ack! Talk about wrong timing...

Go after her, Bobby!

Poor Tara!

The exchange between Lucy and Bobby was very heartfelt. I loved it!

Now Bobby...get off your tush and find Tara and fix this problem!!!! Pronto!!!!!

That was really poor timing, Tara. Maybe if she'd entered the room a few minutes before she could have heard everything, but once again, she jumped to conclusions and I don't think she's going to want to talk to Lucy to clear things up. Bobby needs to chase after her and fix this, because I don't like seeing Tara cry and Bobby so upset because of his own drongoisms.

Leave it to Lucy to give Bobby a nice hard smack up side the head! Go Lucy!!!

Em

Okay, which one of you is going to go after Tara? At this point I don't care who it is...just somebody set Tara right asap!

kav

bobby get off your butt and go after her

cath

You guys are the best!

Myles was enjoying the warmth of the late afternoon sun as he sat at one of the outdoor tables of Basserie Les Halles. He watched the people strolling by, taking in the many facets of humanity offered on a busy street like Pennsylvania Avenue. He took another sip of his ice tea, smiling softly as a small child struggled from the grips of his mother’s hands and galloped down the sidewalk into the outstretched arms of a gentleman in business attire. The little fellow giggled as he was swung up into his father’s arms. A small sigh escaped his throat as he watched the woman rushing to join them, the man’s eyes lighting up as he wrapped her in his free arm and kissed her softly on the lips as the little boy pounded on the shoulder, demanding attention. What I wouldn’t give, he thought, feeling the familiar ache in his soul. Maybe one day…

His thoughts were interrupted by the ringing cell phone lying on the table in front of him. He flipped it open and held it to his ear. “Leland.” His lips curled into a wide grin as he heard the soft southern accent on the other end of the line. “Roxanne,” he chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “So what’s the good word?” He listened intently, feeling the warmth spread through his heart. “Really? And you are sure about the name of the interested party?” He listened as the soft voice droned on for a few seconds more. “Then accept it.” He groaned, leaning forwards as he ran his hand through his hair, the irritation rising in his voice as he replied. “I am very well aware of the fact that it is below market value. But I don’t care. I’ve made a nice profit on the other properties. Taking a loss on this one won’t hurt.” He lazily gazed up the street as Roxanne talked on about how he could probably get twice the market value if he held onto it for a little longer. “Look, Roxanne. I have my house in that subdivision as well, you know. I know what could happen if I held on to it for a while longer, but that is not going to happen. I’m the contractor after all, I have the final say and the final say is accept the offer.”

His eyes caught the familiar movements of a usually perky woman heading towards him down the sidewalk. The pace was slow and the head was down, Tara looked like the weight of the world was bearing down on her shoulders. Koala boy, he mused as he wondered what had Tara looking so out of sorts. He smiled as an almost ridiculous thought crossed his mind. Of course, the same thought had crossed his mind just days before Jack and Sue finally confessed their feelings to one another. And if those two follow suit, he thought as he watched Tara’s feet propelling her closer. “And Roxanne, pull the other house off the market today. We’ll re-list it later.” He flipped his phone shut before he could be inundated with rebukes about poor business sense.

He reached out and caught Tara softly by the arm, smiling softly as she gasped and raised her tear streaked face to meet his gaze. “Myles,” she breathed as she placed her hand over her heart. “You scared me to death.”

“Sorry, Tara.” His smile quickly turned to a frown as he saw the desolation in her eyes. “Tara, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing Myles,” Tara replied. She tried to extricate her arm from his grasp, but Myles would not relax his grip. “I need to get home.” She gave one last half-hearted effort to free herself from her friend’s grasp.

“Don’t tell me that, Tara. Why don’t you join me for a few minutes?” he suggested, pointing to the entryway just around the corner. He saw the hesitation in her face. “Sometimes it helps to talk it out,” he smiled. “Get another perspective on a problem.” He watched the uncertainty slowly ease from her eyes. “Come on,” he urged. “What can it hurt?”

Tara nodded slowly. Her breath was ragged as she inhaled. “Okay, Myles.”

He nodded, smiling softly as he released his grip. “Good.” He sat back down in his chair as he waited for the perky computer whiz to join him.

Myles listened intently as Tara explained what she had seen in the Bullpen just a few minutes before. “I don’t know why I do this to myself,” she whimpered. “I should have realized after that fiasco with the concert and Bobby saying that he wanted to give Darcy another chance that it wasn’t meant to be.” Her voice quivered slightly as she closed her eyes, “Yet still, I had hope.”

“That’s easy to have when you are in love with someone, Tara,” Myles replied. He reached over and took Tara’s hands in his. “And you do love that Australian Romeo, don’t you.”

He smiled as she nodded slowly, her eyes opening to reveal the desperate look of a woman in love. “I do,” she whispered. “God help me, but I do.”

“And he does too,” Myles replied. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the irritated look Tara sent his way. “I know he has a strange way of showing it, Tara. But I believe he feelings for you are just as strong as yours are for him.” He squeezed her hands softly. “And I bet if you gave him a chance to explain, he’d tell you what you witnessed in the Bullpen was an innocent gesture of support between friends.” He caught movement coming towards their table. He scowled as he met Lucy’s uncertain eyes coming closer. He leaned forward. “Or better yet, ask Lucy.”

“Myles, I couldn’t…” Tara’s sentence was stopped by a soft voice behind her. She turned and felt a fresh wave of tears assault her eyes. She stiffened as the warm hand touched her softly on the shoulder.

“Tara,” Lucy mumbled. “Just let me explain…”

“There is nothing to explain,” Tara interrupted. She bent and gathered her purse before standing. She turned around to face Lucy. “What I saw is self-explanatory.” She turned and smiled softly at Myles. “Thanks for the talk, Myles. But I’m having a hard time not believing my eyes right now. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She pushed her way past Lucy, ignoring the pleading call of her name as she weaved her way through the other tables and out onto the bustling D.C. street.

Lucy groaned, shaking her head as she stared at the ground, wishing either Tara had arrived at the Bullpen a few seconds sooner or a few seconds later. She felt a firm grip on her arm and turned to face the steely blue eyes of the Harvard educated agent. “Myles…” she started, but the flame in his blue eyes silenced her.

“I think you have some explaining to do, Lucy Dotson,” he ordered. He pulled her towards the chair Tara had occupied. Without releasing his grip, he gently pushed her onto the seat, hovering closed over her as his heart burned. “Okay, Lucy. Start talking…”

More later
Kim

Oh, I like where this is going very much!

Myles is fantastic!

Now Lucy's the one getting lectured, lol....what goes around, comes around.

Maybe talking about will do them all some good!

UGH! This has gotten soo way out there!

Myles...what a sweetheart!!!!

Tara..please girl if you just listen for two seconds...I know what you saw and heard looked and sounded bad, but it was no where near what you were thinking.

Well Lucy...you might as well fill Myles in.

Okay, so I brought my laptop with me on this mission trip and now that us kitchen ladies have cleanied up the kitchen and are ready for breakfast in the morning, I just had to sneak online and read this post. Everyone else has gone to bed and I'm sitting here in the dark reading. I just don't want to get behind again.

And what do I read? Oh, my gosh!

I can't believe what I just read, if it is what I think I just read! Wow! Let me read on to see if I'm right! Oh, my goodness, he's going to do it again! Kim, you are a genius!

Gee, I wish someone would....well, never mind just yet. Let me read on!

Oh, Tara, good for you for confiding in Myles; but, couldn't you have just let Lucy explain? I absolutely love where you are taking this story, Kim, especially the first part of this post!

Lynn

myles is a real sweetheart

wish tara had listened to lucy though

cath

Oh! Oh! Oh!

And Myles, the deep down sensitive when it counts kind of guy!

kav

Myles' phone call was most intriguing. I like what he appears to be doing very much. I'd say that Myles shines here in this post. I am thinking that this conversation between Lucy and him could prove to be most interesing.

myles can be such a sweetheart at times now lucy
you have to tell tara or at least have another go bobby get off
your butt at go and talk to tara where ever you are ,
Lin

Ooh, I have a good feeling about this.

Poor Tara. I think she needs to give Lucy the benefit of the doubt. She knows how much Tara loves Bobby, so she wouldn't willingly do anything to compromise that! Geez, do I hate miscommunication.

Kim, you've done it again, you've made me love Myles!!!

Now, someone has to get to Tara as soon as possible!!!

Joy

With Jack and Sue... and Myles and Lucy, Bobby and Tara don't have a chance of staying apart!!!

Em

Lucy, start talking ... Myles, start scheming !!!

I love it!

FGM (enjoying the Myles of possibilities)

Here's that little piece of chocolate to tide you over until Bobby comes to his senses.

One hand was resting on the table beside her, the other on the back of her chair. His eyes were sparkling like brilliant sapphires as he stood, mere inches from her face with that know-it-all smirk on his face. It was more than she could take. Lucy took a deep breath, trying to quell the emotions rising from the deepest depths, threatening to burst her thin reign she held on her mouth. Too late, she thought as her hand seemed to take on a mind of its own, moving despite her unwillingness to allow it to. The silken tie was in her hand before her brain could react. Every nerve ending was on edge as she gazed into his eyes. “Not until you greet me properly, Special Agent Leland,” she purred. A slow smile spread on his lips as she gently tugged on the tie, drawing him ever closer until his lips burned hers with the reverent contact.

Thank God for pesky car engines, Myles thought as he tenderly plundered Lucy’s delicate lips and mouth. His mind raced back to the night before. After the celebratory dinner at Bullfeathers, he found Lucy sitting in her car, the engine making a horrible grinding sound as she struggled in vain to crank it. His heart had soared as she timidly accepted his offer of a ride. He was flabbergasted as she shyly invited him in for a cup of coffee once he had escorted her safely to her apartment door. As he sat on the sofa beside her, drinking the warm brew, the realization of the perfection of the scene struck him like a bolt out of the blue. With trembling voice and shaking hands, he had asked for another chance, laying his fears and vulnerabilities bare for her to see. Begged for another chance would be a better description, he thought as the warmth of Lucy’s soft sighs filled his heart. They had talked deep into the night of their fears and regrets. Lucy’s words of whispered forgiveness brought him to his knees, the tears falling on the hands he held clasped in his. The first timid touch of his lips against hers had settled a feeling of complete peace over him as she gave him another chance and he grasped hold of it with both hands, vowing the outcome would be one that entwined their hearts instead of breaking them.

He eased away, his lips reluctantly inching away from hers. The dazzling smile and brilliant twinkle in the dark eyes that met his gaze melted his normally stoic expression as he felt a genuine smile growing on his lips as he looked at the woman that no longer haunted only his dreams. “That’s more like it,” she whispered as she released his tie.

Myles eased over to the nearby chair, taking her hand in his. “I’m glad you approve, Ms. Dotson.” His grin was relaxed, almost lazy as gently ran his thumb of the back of her hand. “Now, I’ve heard Tara’s side of the story. Care to give me yours.”

Lucy rolled her eyes, her irritation with the Australian agent flaring once more. “I never thought I would say this, Myles. But I have met someone more exasperating in the admitting your feelings department than you and Jack combined.”

“Don’t tell me Koala Boy had finally fell out of the eucalyptus tree and admitted his feelings for our computer whiz.”

Lucy groaned as she leaned back in her chair, her thumb beginning its on journey over the back of Myles’ hand. “To me. But that doesn’t count. It only counts when you tell the object of your desires,” she sighed. “And as far as him falling out of the eucalyptus tree, I think that’s exactly what he has done. And he landed on his head! Do you believe he thought that by choosing me, he would actually spare Tara’s feelings?” She straightened in her chair, reaching into the far recess of her mind for her best Australian imitation. “ ‘Because I luv her,’ he said. Can you believe him?”

Myles’ laughter assaulted her ears. She jerked her hand away, folding her arms across her chest. “It’s not funny, Myles!” she protested. “You saw how upset she is.”

“I know, Luce.” Myles replied. He wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes. “I’m not laughing at the situation, really I’m not.” He smiled warmly as he tried to pry Lucy’s hand from underneath her elbow as she held her arms across her chest. Once he succeeded, he held it tenderly, squeezing it with warm reassurance. “I’m laughing at the image of Bobby falling out of a tree and landing on his head.” His eyes lips still bore a smile, but his eyes had swirls of seriousness in them that made Lucy’s heart rate quadruple. “Of course, that may be what he needs. A good swift swat upside the head.” The grin quickly faded as the blue eyes flashed fire. “Especially if he thinks I’m going to stand by and allow him to use my girl to protect his heart.”

Lucy smiled softy at the sincerity in the clipped New England voice. “So is that what I am, Myles? Your girl.”

Myles slowly lifted her hand to his lips, brushing the knuckles lightly as he gazed into the warm brown eyes swirling with the dim light of love that he hoped would grow increasingly brighter with each passing day. “You are, Luce. At least until I can come up with a more appropriate titled.”

Her eyes filled with the shimmer of unshed tears as she gazed into his eyes; his hopes and dreams reflecting back in the dark depths. “For now, being your girl is enough, Myles,” she whispered. Watching the pulse beating a crazy rhythm in her neck, he knew she was right. For now, it was enough.

More later
Kim

Myles and Lucy are a couple! Woo hoo!


I have to agree.

Well these two are talking what about the other two!

loved it, tender moments with myles and luce and i chuckled at the image of koala boy falling out of the eucalyptus tree

cath

That was an endearing scene between Myles and Lucy as she opened her heart to give Myles a second chance.

I'm so glad they sorted themselves out...two down one to go. Bobby's going to be ticked when he finds out Myles was more courageous in love that he is!

kav

Who needs chocolate when reading that most delicious post! Am happy for Lucy especially; but, also for Myles. There is nothing like being in love to change a person's outlook on life, and apparently Myles is changing at lightening speed!

Now, can we also bandage poor Bobby's head so he can do the same with Tara?

Lynn

*happy sentimental sigh*

I had a lot of catching up to do and I suddenly find myself swooning the slightest bit over Myles... how do you and Kav do it???

Wow, I'm speechless

so pleased lucy and myles are A couple thats terrific now between
sue and jack with lucy and myles they will have to get tara and bobby together
as a couple more soon please Kim
Lin

Lucy and Myles have always been good for each other, even if they, in particluar Myles didn't know it. Every time he wanted a confidant (sharing secrets in the dentist episode) or something confiential looking at (when he was trying for promotion) or some TLC he always goes to Lucy, yeah he may sometimes have a heart to heart with Sue, like a brother with his younger sis, but with Lucy it's always been fiery and personal!!!!

Great writing Kim.

I agree! And Lucy's always done the same, like when her grandmother needed help getting her house back. She could have gone to Jack for legal matters, but she went to Myles instead. It shows the great depth of their relationship, even if they weren't sue they had one.

She looked so peaceful, sleeping against the car seat, her head turned in his direction. The plan was to make it to the Thomas’s tonight. But watching her gallant efforts to remain awake had made him change the plans. Once she drifted off to sleep, he began his hunt for a vacant motel room. He was not about to risk the health of his wife or unborn child by rushing to Ohio and then to Wisconsin. I’ll call D in the morning and let him know about the change of plans, he decided as he turned into the motel parking lot.

Jack smiled as he watched the gentle rise and fall of Sue’s chest as she slept, oblivious to the change in plans. He reached over and gently brushed the bangs from her eyes. Slowly, he trailed his index finger along her brow, smiling as she sighed and smiled softly. “Jack,” was whispered by a voice held softly by the arms of sleep.

He felt his fingertip begin to tingle as he allowed it to travel along the contours of her face, feeling the defined cheekbone and dipping down into the hollow of her cheek. He drank in the crinkled eyes and wriggling nose as his finger continued it’s journey, tenderly brushing against the outline of her lips before coming to rest under her chin, where his other fingers joined it, his thumb moving to gently caress the pink softness of her lips. Her eyes fluttered, slowly opening to reveal the hazel hue that accelerated the rhythm of his heart with the love and devotion swimming in the depths. “Hey, sleepyhead,” he whispered once those beautiful eyes were focused on him. “Sleep well?”

“Yeah,” Sue yawned. She stretched her back, flexing her shoulders against the car seat. She smiled as she reached up and captured the fingers beneath her chin in her hand, squeezing them gently. She looked out the window, squinting and blinking as she worked to bring her surroundings into focus. “Are we there already, Jack?” She furrowed her brow as she saw the bright lights of the motel sign in front of her. “This doesn’t look like Mom and Dad’s.”

Jack smiled, waiting patiently as his wife took in the surroundings outside the car window. He could still see the mist of sleep in her eyes as she once again focused on him. “It’s not, sweetheart. After you fell asleep, I decided that we should find a hotel and call it a night. We’ll be at your parents by late morning tomorrow.”

She frowned and Jack could see the beginnings of her independence showing through the admonishment poised on her lips. “Jack,” she protested. But her lips were stopped by his fingertips pressed gently against them.

“I know, Sue. You’re pregnant, not an invalid. But you need your rest.” He smiled as he placed his hand over her flat stomach, rubbing gently. “And so does Little One.” He yawned, flexing his neck before grinning sheepishly at his bride. “And Daddy could use a little nap as well,” he admitted. “So what do you say we stay here tonight and continue in the morning?”

The thought looked wonderful on his lips. And I hate to admit it, but it would be nice to stretch out for a while, she smiled. Then thoughts of work and responsibilities crept into her mind, causing the smile to fade. “But what about getting back by Tuesday, Jack?”

His hand was warm as he wrapped hers gently in his. His smile was soft and his chocolate eyes swirled with the desire to protect her. It was that perfect mixture of love and cherishing that swirled the dark depths to a deep coffee color. She felt the rumblings of butterflies as that look in his eyes took her breath away, just as it always did. “You let me worry about that, Sue. And…” he hurried on before her lips could form the words. “I’ll take care of your parents as well.” His thumb gently swirled over the back of her hand, sending his warmth seeping through her body. “Humor me, sweetheart. Let me be the devoted husband and doting father tonight.”

“You’re that every day, darling,” she whispered. She breathed a soft prayer of thanks for the blessing of Jack in her life. “And I wouldn’t want you any other way.” With her free hand, she reached up, her fingertips tingling as they barely skimmed the whisker-roughened cheek. His dark eyes were soft, pleading for her to relent and agree to stay. “Okay, let’s call it a night.”

More later
Kim

So adorable!

Jack is indeed at his most devoted here. I am thinking that Sue will be glad they stopped.

Jack is wonderful!

Kim I had so much catching up to do and it was wonderful. Can't wait for more!

so meltilicious

cath