Girls have so well-trained observation skills, that poor Sue hadn't to tell them.
I'm wondering if Jack will found it out by himself or if he'll remain clueless until Sue tells him...

O'seam

Yeah - Lucy and Tara totally know

Em

Well, Sue hasn't confirmed it yet, so maybe the girls will not push the issue (yeah, sure, right)!!!

I wonder if Jack is going to show up sometime during the weekend???

Joy

Lucy and Tara are totally in the know I love the way best friends can find things out and not have to say a word!

So it looks like what we are all thinking is what Lucy and Tara are thinking and now Sue doesn't have to feel guilty because she actually didn't tell anyone before she told Jack. And I'm all for making strawberry shortcake for an entree!

kav

Thank you all for the wonderful comments. They make me smile!

Lucy nudged Tara as they entered the bedroom they would be sharing in their Luxury Suite. “Do you think Sue will admit that she’s pregnant before the weekend is over?”

Tara shook her head. She smiled softly at the deflated look in her friend’s dark eyes. “I don’t think so, Luce. I don’t think Jack knows yet.” She took a deep breath and exhaled on a sigh. “And Sue will want Jack to be the first to know.”

She chuckled as Lucy’s lower lip protruded into a slight pout. “But we are her best friends.”

“And Jack is her husband and the father of the baby we both know she is carrying.” Tara shrugged. “It’s only fair that he be told first.”

“But we guessed first,” Lucy whined as she flopped on the bed, quickly falling to her back. “Shouldn’t that count for something?”

“Being the second people that Sue and Jack tell,” Tara replied as she sat down on the bed beside Lucy. The mattress beneath her was so soft, she couldn’t resist a little bounce, drawing a groan from Lucy. “Sorry, Lucy,” she smiled.

“You could always use your interrogation tactics and get her to spill the beans,” Lucy smiled hopefully as she sat up.

Tara shook her head. “You know, Bobby asked me one time if there was anything I couldn’t do. I said ‘No. But there are some things I won’t do.’ Sorry Luce, this is one of those things I won’t do. It wouldn’t be fair to Jack or Sue.”

Lucy groaned. Tara laughed as the rotor rolled her eyes. “I hate it when you are right. Do you know that?”

“Sorry Lucy,” Tara shrugged.

Tara felt the bed shift as Lucy stood up. She watched as her friend picked up the suitcase she had left sitting in the middle of the floor and place it on one of the chairs. “You know,” Lucy said as she turned to face Tara. “There was a time when we would have been the first people to know when something this exciting was happening in Sue’s life.”

Tara sighed, missing the old times. Or more precisely, wishing I had the happiness that Sue has. “That’s the way of change, Lucy. Nothing stays exactly the same forever. No matter how much we wish it did. And I wouldn’t want things to stay the same. If they did, Jack and Sue would still be staring at each other across the Bullpen instead of being close enough to actually create a baby.” Tara felt the heat of the blush on her cheeks as Lucy threw her had back and laughed. “Well, you know what I mean,” Tara laughed as she threw a pillow at Lucy.

“I do,” Lucy chuckled, chunking the pillow back at Tara. The computer whiz noticed the slight sigh and shadow of sadness in her friend’s eyes. “I’m just jealous, I guess. I wish I had Sue’s recipe for happiness.”

“So do I,” Tara sighed. A slow smile crept across her lips as a light went on in the devious part of her brain. “And I think I have an idea of how to get it.”

“How?” Lucy asked. Tara watched as the rotor’s face lit up like a kid at Christmas. She even bounced a little on her toes.

“Well,” Tara replied. “I have a feeling the reason Jack doesn’t know about his impending fatherhood is because Sue can’t think of a way to break the news to him.”

“So we get Sue to admit that she is having a hard time coming up with a way to tell someone something very important,” Lucy beamed.

Tara nodded, the rising excitement in her stomach escaping in a giggle. “Then we provide the solution on the condition that…” Tara stood up from her seat on the edge of the bed and stepped towards Lucy.

“She give us her recipe for happiness.” Lucy giggled, closing the distance between them.

“Exactly!” Tara shouted as she took her friends hands in hers. Their laughter mingled as they bounced up and down in the middle of the stately bedroom.

More later
Kim

Oh those girls...

Lucy was really trying!

Technically, they still are. Sue just didn't tell them.

I can't wait for that recipe too!

I think you nailed their characters here. I can see Lucy wanting to press, yet willing to concede that Tara was right that they not pressure Sue to tell them her news. The conversation about change was neat. I liked how the girls decided to handle their feelings in a positive way and to ask Sue for her secret to happiness.

Kim ... I think I'm following their reasoning ... and that's very scary

Cute post!

Definately worth a

“But we guessed first,” Lucy whined as she flopped on the bed, quickly falling to her back. “Shouldn’t that count for something?” This just cracked me up! Loving this Kim!

so now we know one thing tara won't do, good for her

cath

I agree with you cath

You gotta love it when those two have a trick up their sleeve. They're going to get Sue to admit it, even though she probably won't have to say a word about it... does that make sense?

Love Lucy and Tara!

Em

Kim, you definitely have Tara and Lucy down pat!!!

Joy

That was soooooooo Lucy and Tara! I love it.

How do I tell him? What if he really isn’t ready for a baby? What if… Sue’s doubtful musings were interrupted by a warm hand on her arm. She turned to see Lucy’s kind dark eyes smiling at her.

“Sue, what’s wrong?” Lucy asked.

“Nothing,” Sue sighed. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye as Tara moved to sit on the coffee table in front of her.

“Don’t tell us that, Sue,” Tara smiled. “You have been distracted since you got here. If you have a problem, run it by us. Between the three of us, surly we can come up with a solution.”

Sue felt the sofa shift as Lucy moved to join Tara on the coffee table. They are just like Jack, she smiled. Making small changes just to make things easier for me. She smiled as Lucy leaned forward and placed her hand on her knee. “Tara’s right, Sue. There hasn’t been a problem invented that we can’t solve. So spill.”

Sue sighed as she leaned her head against the back of the sofa. “It’s nothing, really.” She watched as Lucy and Tara shared a glance before focusing their eyes back on her. She could tell by the look in those two sets of eyes that they would pester her all weekend if need be. Talk about me being tenacious, she chuckled. “Okay,” she relented. She rolled her eyes as Tara and Lucy smiled at one another and rubbed their hands in expectation. “Let’s just suppose someone had some really big news to give someone else. Life changing news. News that you weren’t sure how the person would react to. How would you tell them?”

Tara smiled softly. She nudged Lucy before she began to speak. “Lucy and I have an idea on that. But it will cost you, Sue.”

“Yep,” Lucy chuckled. “There will be a price for our sage advice.”

Sue shook her head and rolled her eyes. “What if I don’t think the advice is worth the price?” She raised her eyebrows and waited for their reply.

“Ah, but I think you will,” Lucy grinned.

“In fact, we will give you the advice first.” Tara shrugged, “And if you don’t think it’s worth it, then you don’t have to pay.”

Sue mulled over the offer. It seemed to be a win-win situation. “D-E-A-L,” she finger spelled. She felt a little uneasy at the gleeful gleam in her best friends’ eyes. “So what is your advice?”

“Dessert,” Tara smiled.

“Dessert?” Sue crinkled her forehead in confusion. “Did you say dessert?”

“She did,” Lucy confirmed. “News is much easier to break over something sweet. Fix his favorite dessert then when he is lulled into sugar happiness, break the news.”

“And if it’s good news, it will be like icing on the cake,” Tara grinned.

Sue sat back, absentmindedly rubbing Levi’s ears as she considered her friends’ advice. She remembered how Jack’s eyes lit up every time she made his mother’s cinnamon roll recipe. “It just might work,” she whispered.

She felt a warm hand on her arm and turned to see Lucy grinning at her. “So is it worth the price?”

“I don’t know,” Sue chuckled. “You haven’t told me what the price is?”

“Your recipe for happiness,” Tara smiled.

Sue shook her head, smiling at the hopeful looks in her friends’ eyes. “There is no recipe for happiness, guys. You have to make your own happiness.” She could see her mother’s lips moving in her mind when she gave her that piece of advice after she had decided to move to D.C. Although her mother could be pushy and did have a tendency to take over, she had always been supportive, even of her whirlwind wedding to Jack. “You make your own, happiness, sweetheart. Each person’s recipe may have similar ingredients, but the way they are put together are different. Only you know how to combine those ingredients to make it perfect for your life.” So far, her mother’s advice had been right.

She was jolted out of her memory as Lucy gently squeezed her arm. “Come on, Sue. You have to at least know the ingredients. That’s all we are asking for here.”

Sue sighed. “I’m not so sure I do know the ingredients, Luce.” Her heart felt heavy as she watched the shadow of sadness edge into her friends’ eyes. “But I tell you what. If you don’t make me try to come up with it this weekend, once I do figure it out, I’ll let you know. D-E-A-L?”

She smiled as she watched two hands fingerspell their reply. “D-E-A-L”

“Good,” Sue laughed. “Now, do we make Levi an honorary girl for the weekend, or do I call Jack to come and pick him up tomorrow?”

She watched as Lucy’s shoulders shook. The smile on her friend’s face told her she was laughing. “Sue, you know his offer is just a ploy to get to see you before the weekend is over, don’t you?”

Sue could feel the color rushing to her cheeks. “I know. But…”

“But, nothing,” Tara replied. “You are missing him as much as he is missing you.” Sue watched as her two best friends gave each other knowing looks. Tara’s eyes had a mischievous twinkle as she turned back to face Sue. “Let him come,” Tara smiled. “That way we don’t have to wait until Monday for you to share the good news with us, too.”

Sue lowered her eyes. They know, she frowned. Somehow, they know without me telling them. She felt a small wave of relief wash over her. Her best friends knew her little secret without her telling them. And Jack would still be the first to hear it from her lips. Jack, she smiled, a plan forming in her head. She had a copy of her mother-in-law’s recipe in her purse. If I could commandeer the kitchen, then it would be perfect, she thought. She gazed at her dear friends smiling at her. First my recipe for happiness, then I will work on theirs. Theirs may take a little time, but good things come to those who wait. She stood up, reaching for the blackberry in her pocket. “Thanks guys. I’ll just call Jack and let him know he can come get Levi.”

More later
Kim

Perfect plan !!!

That was wonderful. I love how you are portraying their friendship.

I'm loving this story Kim :bouncifire: The friendship between all three girls, the love that Jack and Sue have and the pefect plan! Beautiful just beautiful:applause:

The plan is now in motion! Yay! I can't wait for the surprise to be sprung!

That works...

woohoo she's calling jack

cath

thats great wonderful shes calling jack and its lovely
that sue has the girls there and although they know jack will be the first
to be told cant wait for more
Lin

I think that went very well!! The girls know, Sue knows that they know, but she still gets to voice it to Jack first!! I think Jack is going to be over the moon!!!

Joy

Good plan!

Em

Can't wait for Sue to tell Jack! I think he'll feel in seventh heaven!

Oh, Kim! This is great!!

Okay, but if Jack comes to get Levi and Sue tells him I bet he leaves with Sue!

kav

Just a snippet tonight.

Jack couldn’t sleep. He sighed heavily as he turned from his side to his back, resting his arm on his forehead. He stared at the ceiling wishing desperately that he had tried harder to convince Sue not to go away for the weekend. But you know she deserves this time with Tara and Lucy, Jack, he berated himself. Still, he missed the warmth of her body snuggled against him; his arms wrapped around her, holding her close while her head rested on his chest, her hand placed gently over his heart. How did I ever sleep without her by my side, he mused.

If he were honest with himself, he didn’t sleep much before he married Sue. Before Sue stormed into his life, his dreams were often filled with the horrors of the cases he often works. Then, after Sue stormed into his life, his dreams were a combination of fantasies about Sue and nightmares about losing her to a case or another man. But for the past six months, his sleep had been peaceful and deep; Sue’s presence like a security blanket that kept the nightmares away. He ran his thumb along the coolness of his wedding band, hoping the feeling of knowing he was hers would be enough to lull him to sleep. Instead, it made the ache for her stronger.

Next time they have a girls weekend, I’m tagging along, he sighed as he rolled to his side and cradled Sue’s pillow in his arms. In buried his nose in the softness and inhaled deeply. Her scent permeated his senses. He groaned into the poor replacement for the real thing. He raised his head slightly and glanced at the clock on the bedside table. 1:00 a.m. A soft smile curled the corners of his mouth as he closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep. Sue said I could come pick up Levi today, he chuckled. She didn’t specify a time. So, if I leave at 4:00, then I will be there in time to join her for breakfast.

More later
Kim

He is so sweet...I would love to have a guy drive a few hours just to join me for breakfast

Jack is not anxious to see Sue, not one little bit. I loved the description of how Jack's life changed after marrying Sue. Well, guess who is coming for breakfast, ladies?

And if you leave now, Jack, you could even wake her up with a smile


I love the insight in Jack's mind

Oh, Jack! You could so not pass for a girl!
Sneaky Jack, very sneaky.

Kim, I love the POV you gave us of Jack and how his life has changed, not only since he met Sue, but also after they were married!! It's hard to be away from the one you love, even for a few nights!!!

I also love the way Jack thinks - breakfast with Sue is perfect!!!

Joy

he is so cute and meltilicious

cath

Girls weekend with a man around!

He is so adorable
Lin

He's so cute when he's missing Sue!

Em

I wish I could say more, but I just can't.

Me too.

O'seam

...it's so cute reading about how much he is missing Sue..gotta hand it to you tho JAck...very sneaky!

Jack is so adorable when he's missing Sue. Or any other time This is great Kim!

Thank you for the wonderful replies! You guys are the greatest. Did you guys think Jack would really wait until breakfast to join Sue? (I just love the new smilies)

Jack gave the desk clerk his best lopsided smile. All he received in return were raised eyebrows and a grumpy “Humph,” as the woman turned back to the computer screen. Obviously not a morning person, he thought as he impatiently tapped his fingers against the shiny, smooth countertop. When the woman turned back from the computer screen, he gave her his best puppy dog look. “Mr. Hudson,” she sighed heavily. “Do you realize that it is 4:30 in the morning?”

Jack felt the heat rise in his cheeks. He had tossed and turned until 1:15. By that point, he just couldn’t take it anymore. He had to get to Sue. At that time of night, the highway was practically deserted. A little push on the accelerator and he had made the four hour drive in just over three. Now, the only thing stopping him from joining the woman who owned his heart was the graying, yawning woman looking over her half-rimmed glasses at him. He dropped his hand from the counter and reached into his jacket pocket, extracting his FBI credentials. He slowly crossed the fingers of his other hand and prayed for forgiveness for the little white lie he was about to spin. “Yes ma’am,” he replied as he pushed his credentials across the counter for her to inspect. “But you see, there has been a slight emergency and I need to see Sue Hudson, immediately.”

“FBI.” He felt slightly guilty as he heard the alarm in the desk clerk’s voice. “Well, why didn’t you say so?” She returned her gaze to the computer screen. Jack watched as she slid her index finger along the screen until she pinpointed the room number. He held his breath as she turned to face him again. Her mouth was down turned and her eyebrows were knitted together in concern. “Let me just call the room…” she reached for the phone.

Jack’s free hand shot forward and caught her hand before she could lift the receiver from its cradle. “No!” he replied, his tone a little harsher than he intended. He cleared his throat softly. “Uh, no. Don’t do that. You see, my wife is deaf and couldn’t hear the phone. And I wouldn’t want to disturb the other guests in the suite. Do you think you could just let me have a key card instead?”

The desk clerk eyed the dark eyed agent closely. She had seen the look in his dark eyes in other men. It was the look of a man desperate to get to his heart’s desire. A slight smirk grew on her lips. But those men are usually desperate to get to their mistresses, not their wives, she thought. She moved her eyes to the hands lying against the counter. The glimmer of the light reflecting in the golden wedding band caught her attention. The smirk was slowly replaced by a small smile. It was a new band, not yet tarnished with years of wear. The finish was still pristine, not yet marred by the struggles of married life. Her eyes traveled back up to the handsome face. The swirls of adoration and love in the dark eyes when the young man talked of his wife made her smile broaden. I have a feeling this one’s wedding ring will still be pristine fifty years from now. Her cynical heart was touched by the knowledge that the happily ever after kind of love still existed. Sue Hudson, whoever she is, is one lucky lady.

She shook her head slightly, but smiled softly. “It isn’t policy, but…” She reached underneath the counter and withdrew a key card. She swiped it across the scanner and handing it across the counter. “I’ll make an exception.” She chuckled softly as the young man reached for the card. She drew it away slightly, his exasperated sigh causing her to choke back a laugh. “On one condition.”

“What condition?” he asked.

“There really isn’t an emergency is there, Agent Hudson?” The sheepish grin and rosy glow on his cheeks gave her the answer. “Let me guess. It’s your first weekend apart since you were married, right?”

She watched as the dark eyes lowered and the cheeks reddened farther. “Yes, ma’am. We’ve been married six months and…” She gasped as she noticed the unshed tears in his eyes when he raised the chocolate depths to meet her gaze. “I couldn’t sleep.”

Something in his eyes told her that this was a young man who had struggled with his feelings, perhaps almost losing the young woman who now wore a matching wedding band. There was a look of awe in his eyes, almost like he still couldn’t believe the young woman in suite 304 was really his; like he was afraid he would wake up one day and she would be gone. I don’t think he has anything to worry about, she mused as she gazed into the dark brown eyes silently begging for the key card. Sue Hudson would have to be crazy to let this one go. Slowly, she handed over the key card. “She is in Suite 304.” She pointed to the bank of elevators to her left. “Go up to the third floor. Turn to the left when you get off and it is four doors down on the right.”

“Thank you,” the agent smiled.

She watched as the handsome dark haired man turned and walked towards the elevator. “Mr. Hudson?” She smiled as he turned back to face her. “I hope your wife knows how lucky she is to have you.”

His smile was warm as she watched him swallow hard. His voice was thick as he replied. “I’m the lucky on, ma’am. And I don’t consider myself lucky to have Sue Thomas Hudson as my wife.” She saw his eyes mist softly. “I consider myself extremely blessed.”

**************

Jack eased the key card into the slot. He smiled as the red light turned green. He turned the knob and tiptoed into the room. He eased the door closed, standing with his back against it until his eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room. He slowly negotiated the shadowed furniture as he eased across the room. He walked slowly down the hallway, stopping at the first closed door. He placed his ear against the door and listened. He chuckled as soft snores penetrated the wood. Definitely not Sue, he smiled. He tiptoed to the second closed door and eased it open. He sighed as he caught sight of her silhouette against the pillows, the soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminating her golden hair.

He heard Levi’s tags jingling. He turned to see the golden retriever raise his head from the spot between his paws. He smiled as Levi started to ease his body from the floor. Jack placed his finger against his lips and motioned for Levi to stay. The dog gave him a small grin before sliding back onto the floor and placing his head between his paws.

Jack eased across the floor. He sat down on a small chair by the window and took of his socks and shoes. His shirt and pants quickly followed. He straightened the waistband of his boxers before tiptoeing to the bed. He slowly lifted the covers and slid in beside his wife. He sighed softly as she murmured his name in her sleep, turning to cuddle to his side. He inhaled the scent of her shampoo as she settled her head against his chest, her hand tracing light patterns across his muscles until it settle gently over his heart. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and tenderly kissing the top of her head as he closed his eyes. “I love you, sweetheart,” he whispered as he drifted into a deep, peaceful slumber.

More later
Kim

Awww so sweet!

I'm a puddle on the floor

That was absolutely beautiful. It was so endearing to see Jack make his way to Sue and finally find his place next to her. I loved the thoughts of the hotel clerk.

Thank goodness - I was worried he would go in the wrong room! That post made me ready to climb into bed.