I love how both families have come together to be a unified front. What a blessed baby to have grandparents like that!

kav

Thank you all for sticking with me through this story. Like all good recipes, the end must come. The dishes emptied, washed and put away once the finished product is enjoyed by all. I hope this has been an enjoyable journey. The recipe for happiness is open ended. Perhaps one day, more ingredients will be added and another story started. But for now, that's all folks!

Jack smiled as they all gathered in the living room of the new Hudson house. After a day spent moving and unpacking, the house was ready for occupancy, thanks to their friends and family. The only thing remaining was the nursery. Sue, their mothers, Lucy and Tara had been successful in their shopping trip. But Sue was hesitant to purchase it this far away from the due date. “Anything could happen in six months, Jack. Styles could change. Our tastes could change.” Her voice had soften, filled with unspoken fears as the tears shimmered in her eyes. “Our needs could change.”

Jack had gathered her in his arms while she cried softly, the pregnancy hormones mixing with the tiring day and the fears that somehow her suddenly perfect world would come crashing down around her. His lips brushed across the silky strands of her blonde hair as he held her, silently giving her his assurance that he would do all in his power to protect her, them, always. As her shoulders stilled and the gasping sobs were replaced by soft sniffles, he eased her away from his chest. He smiled tenderly as he dried her tears with the handkerchief he retrieved from his back pocket. “You’re right, Sweetheart. We don’t know what the next six months will hold. But we do know Who holds the next six months and all the seconds, hours, days, months and years afterward. I’m putting my trust in Him.”

His heart warmed as the twinkle returned to her hazel eyes, her smile small, but filled with the warmth of hope. “Thank you, Jack. I know I’m just being silly.”

“No you’re not,” he smiled. Mischief swirled in the brown depths. “Our needs might change yet. Who knows, there might be two recipes for icing bubbling in there.” He placed his hand gently against her flat middle and wiggled his eyebrows.

“Jack!” Sue exclaimed.

Jack had pulled her close, tilting her chin so she could read him. “I’ll make you a deal. When Baby Hudson produces the first swell of a baby bump, then we go get the furniture.”

“D-E-A-L” Sue signed. Jack smiled and sealed the deal with a tender brush of lips against lips that help the promise of a sleepless night in the new Hudson bedroom.

How did I get so lucky? Jack thought as he sat on his sofa with his wife snuggled in his arms. He watched as their family and friends laughed and talked over the pizza he had ordered for a well deserved dinner.

As he watched, he thought back to the recipe that was the basis for the curriculum he and Sue were designing. A slow grin grew on his lips as he realized the missing ingredients had been right in front of him the whole time. He reached for the legal pad on the end table and hastily scribbled it down. He handed it to Sue, winking at her questioning gaze. “I know what’s missing from our recipe.”

“Family and friends,” Sue whispered. She gazed at the man beside her, his smile dazzling as he nodded. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, well aware of parental eyes watching their movements. “I’d dare say our recipe for happiness is complete. Congratulations, Mr. Hudson.”

“Our recipe for happiness is far from complete, Mrs. Hudson,” Jack chuckled. His brown eyes gleamed with desire and joy. “It’s just a beginning. A good starter stock for a lifetime of new ingredients.” His lips were gentle as they caressed hers. “And I can’t wait to see what other ingredients we add over the years of our lifetime together.”

Fin
Kim

Fab story Kim from beginning to end! This was truly an amazing story looking forward to its continuation!

Jack and Sue, inspired by their faith, their family, their friends, and their deep feelings of love for each other, appear to have fufulled their desire to share with their friends a recipe for happiness that they will all continue to build upon as time goes by.

My favorite part.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.

just loved it from begining to end kim
Lin

Amazing story!

Wonderful story. I enjoyed every minute of it.

a wonderful story from beginning to end, sad to see it finish

cath

the end , well that's impossibel ... i don't want it to end. but i really loved the journey, you where absolutly brilliant. i really enjoyed the icing

I'm not quite finished catching up yet (and now I see you've gone and finished the story...) but I had to comment because I'm sitting here, my eyes brimming with tears, over MYLES!!!! I can't believe it!

Just goes to show what a wonderful writer you are, Kim.

Bravo!

Wonderful story - from beginning to end - with every lovely morsel in between.

Wonderful story, Kim ... and a perfect recipe


Thank you!!!

Another great story, Kim!!!!!

Em

BRAVO KIM!!!!! Another masterpiece and I loved every moment of it...it was beautiful from beginning to end!

It...can't...be...over...yet...First Oreo, than Harry and now you?! What's a reader to do? Just fill int he blanks for 6 months? I suppose I could while I wait for you to post another story. This was a wonderful one, Kim. Loved. Perfect...just like this story.

kav

Kim, thank you for sharing another truly beautiful story. It was so rich in so many ways and on so many levels. I loved the Lucy/ Myles scene. It was lovely and full of promise. Jack and Sue do have an excellent starter on their recipe for happiness.

Bravo!!!!!! And thank you for sharing your talents with us.

Kim, it's very obvious that you have the recipe down for a wonderful, moving story!! I love it from beginning to end!!!

Thanks for sharing once again!!!

Joy

Kim I just had some major catching up to do after my trip and I don't know where to start.

This story was so delightful and held so much healing in it for me. Your stories seem to have that effect on me.

Oh phooy, the emoticons aren't working again. Sigh. Anyway, thank you for a wonderful story with a fantastic recipe for happiness. 10 - 10 - 10 : )

Hi!
Recently I catch your story in the Summer Challenge and I can't stop to read from page 1 to the end. So beautiful story!
Congratulations!
Tere

All caught up and.... it's over!

Your ending was beautiful. I enjoyed reading this amazing story!! Thank you!

Finally catching up. After my previous comment, the rest of last week was hectic but very spiritually rewarding. Best youth mission trip ever. Then drove to KS and now I see you’ve finished the story (that’s right, I peeked at the last post.) So, I shall read each post with regret, knowing this fabulous story will be over when I get caught up!

7/23 Post – Myles and Lucy on the couch….perfection!

7/24 Post – I’m crying buckets at Carla’s toast! It truly touched me to the core.

And ditto Flip on the shower scene.

7/25 Post & Final – What a perfect ending, Kim….absolutely wonderful! Thank you for creating such a warm and heartfelt story around a recipe for happiness! There is no doubt about it! You are a master storyteller!!!!!
Lynn

It just occurred to me that I hadn't replied to the end of this story yet, Kim and it's probably because my computer wouldn't let me post. No offense, but I just don't think my computer likes you all that much. But, not me! I love you and your writing... just wanted you to know that.

This was an amazing story, perfect from the last little crumb!

This story was really good ! Really well written !
I could have slapped Bobby !
But hopefully all ends nicely and they are all in love.

aww so sweet. jack and sue are having a baby. glad bobby/tara and myles/lucy are working on their own recipees for happiness. so sweet of myles and troy painting a mural of the velvetine rabbit in the nursery just cuz it was sue's favorite.

Aww that was amazing.




Hope~