She couldn’t wait to share her news. The temptation to step on the gas pedal so that she might reach her destination sooner was a strong one, but she resisted it. A traffic ticket would slow her down more than anything else could, and though she doubted it was possible, she didn’t want anything to put a damper on her mood. Besides, she was already late, and she knew that her friends would still be there waiting for her, even if she was the last to arrive.

Smiling as she thought about the event that had taken place before she’d left to spend an all-girls weekend with her two best friends, she wondered how they’d react when she told them…would they be surprised, or had they seen the signs before she’d been able to recognize them herself?

These women had been there for her in times that weren’t so happy; now that her dreams were coming true one by one, she was fairly bursting at the seams to share her good news with them. Glancing quickly at her directions, her smile widened as she realized her destination was right around the next corner.

“What do you think Levi?” Sue asked as she made the final turn to her destination. “Should I tell them?” Levi’s paw rested on her shoulder and she looked in the rearview mirror to see his serious brown eyes. “Oh, I know. Jack should be the first to know. But I don’t think I can keep it a secret all weekend.” She sighed sadly as the doubt began to creep into her heart. “And I’m not really sure how to break the news to Jack. Maybe if they know, Tara and Lucy can help me come up with a plan.”

More later
Kim

what news???????????????????????????

we need to know

cath

oh! Oh! OH!!!!!!!

I think I know!!!!!



and yes... just what might ms. Lucy and ms. Tara come up with to help her out in telling Jack?

I think I know what the news is but then again, I'm a terrible guesser More please, Kim!!

UPDATE SOON!

Uh-oh -- I think I'm happy you're writing a challenge story.

kav

another Kim challenge story
I think I know but jack should be told first then again I could be wrong
so please kim dont keep us on to long
Lin

News? What news? and where's Jack???

Same here Tracy. Looking forward to seeing if this guess is right!

Another Kim challenge story!! Life is good!!!

I think I know too, but I will sit here quietly and see where you are taking us, Kim!!!

Joy

You're in with a challenge story. Great. I have suspicion that the news is going to be something different from what we might suspect, but we have to wait and see.

What's the news? It has to be good...right?

I can't wait for more.

Jaynie

I'm with Sandy. I'm thinking the obvious is not really going to go the way everyone thinks it is. But then, I'm just suspicious by nature! Good suspense to start the story off!

Lynn

Sue smiled as Levi’s breath tickled her neck like it always did when he sighed. “Alright. I’ll try to keep it a secret, but you know how those two are.” She chuckled softly as Levi shook his head. “I’m sure they already have their suspicions after all those hurried trips to the bathroom after lunch for the past three weeks. And I know they are going to be pleased as punch.” She sighed heavily, her spirit dampened by the fear edging in. “I just hope Jack will be.”

They had discussed the possibilities already. What would be expected and how they would each feel about it. Jack had assured her that he could handle it, but she wasn’t so sure. And she wasn’t sure she could handle seeing that look in his dark brown eyes; the look that always seemed to be present just on the edge of his usually twinkling eyes. It had been there since the day she married the man of her dreams. Although she thought the time would dim that look, it seemed to intensify instead. And it has been six months already, she groaned. Six months of wedded bliss. She gently turned the rings on her left hand. After what was probably the shortest engagement on record, all of two weeks, she found herself deliriously happy and married to the most kind, compassionate, wonderful man on the face of this earth. I don’t see why Jack wouldn’t be happy, she thought as she wheeled into an empty parking space in front of the The Homestead where she would be spending a luxurious weekend with her two best friends. After all, it is partially his fault.

Jack had waited so long to act, David had re-entered the picture. This put Jack into overdrive. Between the two of them, the month between Sue’s decision to stay in D.C. and David’s return had been a whirlwind of dinners, movies and galas. When he proposed, her head was spinning. But then when she looked into those kind eyes, the decision had been easy. And now, she smiled, life is about to change again.

Levi laid his paw on her shoulder again. She watched as he looked at her then at the blackberry lying on the seat beside her. “Thanks, buddy.” She ruffled his fur before picking up the device. She felt her pulse increase as his name flashed on the screen. She chuckled softly as she attached the lapel microphone and spoke, “I have just pulled into the parking lot, sweetheart.”

More later
Kim

Kim

So, it does look like what I think it looks like. Now, what is that look?

And why does she not know how to tell him? You are pumping lots of suspense in this.

And here, with the title of your story, I thought this one was going to be all fluff !

Lynn

Okay - quick trips to the bathroom, married to Jack for six months ( ) and..

Yeah, I think my suspicioun is right!!

I'm thinking the same thing. Can't wait for Sue to tell Jack.

I think jack will be over the moon sue
when you tell him im sure he will be on
cant wait till sue tells jack more soon please
Lin

Ah, it is looking more and more like Sue's news is going to be the obvious. The words "wedded bliss" made me smile. I am thinking that Sue is wise to do her utmost to wait and tell Jack first. Good for Jack for calling.

Last snippet for the night. Thank you for all the wonderful replies. The italicized words in quotations are the responses on the screen of Sue's blackberry.

“I figured as much. I was just afraid you would forget to call once you got together with Tara and Lucy.”

“Would I do that, sweetheart?” she smiled.

“No. I just hate to admit that I miss you already. Sue, are you sure you really want to spend the ENTIRE weekend with just the girls?”

“Jack, we have discussed this,” Sue sighed. She could just imagine those warm chocolate eyes silently pleading for her to relent and come home. If she were honest with herself, she would turn the car around, drive back to D.C. and spend the entire weekend in her husband’s arms. But she couldn’t disappoint her best friends. And besides, this may be the last year I am free to come, she thought. “You know this has become a yearly tradition. I’ll be home late Sunday afternoon.”

“How about I drive up tomorrow and pick up Levi to truly give you a girl’s only weekend?”

She imagined the twinkle in his brown eyes as he smiled softly. She laughed as she shook her head. “We’ll see, Jack. I’ll call you later, before I turn in for the night. I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you, too, darling. See you later?”

“See you later.” Sue ended the call with a sigh. Her body ached to be wrapped in Jack’s loving embrace. But her heart knew she couldn’t disappoint her best friends. Tara and Lucy had been by her side through the good times and the bad since she came to D.C. She had cried on their shoulders on more than a few occasions over her relationship with Jack. Then, when Jack finally made a move, they had worked like Trojans to give her a storybook wedding in only two short weeks. They deserve this weekend, she thought. A sharp breeze whipped her hair as she climbed out of the car. The aroma of change whipped around her nose. We deserve this weekend together before the winds of change blow through all our lives.

More later
Kim

A girls' weekend sounds like a great idea....but of all the weekends, it had to be the one when Sue had big news for Jack! How will she ever keep her secret all weekend?

Great start to this, Kim! I loved the last couple of sentence of your last post.

Let's see What could be partially Jack's fault???

I am so excited for this story Kim!

Love the storyline already Kim! Girls weekend, I can't imagine not being able to tell Jack right away or the girls for that matter. Looking forward to more!

they are having a baby and life is so good!
(my assumuption anyway)
*crosses her fingers*

it's going t feel like a long wekend away from jack even with her two good friends there

cath

Wow -- Those few sentences swept me up in that wind -- I can smell it, touch it, taste it. Wow.

kav

Sure that I'll love this story...

Well, wait... I already love this story!

Can't wait to read more.

O'seam

we all need a break with friends so sue relax for 48 hours
Lin

I honestly don't understand how you do it. You have a story in WIP and now a challenge fic and they're both absolutely wonderful! I am ultimately jealous of your talent.

I'm so excited by Sue's news and I just hope that she can keep it inside for the rest of the weekend. I bet she's ready to burst, though.

Kim, I read your posts and I'm instantly transported into the world of Sue Thomas!! I can see it all happening before me!! I love it!!!

I'm a little worried about this look that Sue sees in Jack's eyes though!! What is that about???

Joy

Wonderful! I loved Jack's line..



Awwww

So sweet!!!!!

Can't wait for more, Kim!

Em

This is SOOOOO awesome Kim...can't wait for more!!!!! Sue is pregnant (I hope, I think), girls only weekend and Jack is missing his wife already!

Just caught up. WOW! I'm so excited to see another of your stories on this board, Kim! And I'm excited for the news! I'm sure Sue won't be able to keep such a big and wonderful secret from her friends! And I'm sure Jack will be delighted!

Ornella

“There you are,” Lucy smiled as Sue approached the table in the hotel restaurant. “It’s about time you got here.”

“You know how traffic can be in D.C. on Friday afternoons,” Sue sighed. She swallowed hard as the smell of Lucy’s Oriental chicken salad mingled with Tara’s Fettuccini Alfredo before assaulting her nasal passages. She tried to keep her lip from curling and her nose from wrinkling as the unpleasant mixture of aromas from the steaming food caught an updraft and blitzed her delicate senses. She could feel the wave of nausea rising in the pit of her stomach. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her mouth. She gripped the back of the chair until the wave subsided and she could once again open her eyes. She could feel the heat of a blush rising in her cheeks as she met the concerned gaze of her two dearest friends.

“Are you okay?” Tara asked. Her brow was crinkled with concern.

Sue smiled and quickly nodded. She took a moment to discern which seat would be the most downwind. As she slid into the seat, she released Levi’s leash and took a moment to straighten his collar and quietly compose herself before focusing on her friends. “I’m fine, Tara. I think I’m just feeling the effects of the long car ride.” She watched as Tara and Lucy exchanged a knowing glance. She smiled pleasantly, praying that she could keep the secret until Jack could be the first to know.

“Are you sure it is only the car ride that is bothering you, Sue?” Lucy asked with a waggle of her eyebrows. Sue could see the knowing gleam in her best friend’s eyes.

“I’m sure, Luce,” she smiled. “What else could it be?” She quickly lowered her head as she placed the white cloth napkin across her lap. She felt a hand on her arm and turned to find Tara leaning close. There was a twinkle in her eyes that matched the gleam in Lucy’s.

“Well, Sue,” Tara smiled. “You and Jack have been married for six months. And you know what they say.” Sue raised her eyebrows and waited for Tara to continue. She prayed she could keep the blush from deepening on her cheeks as she watched Tara’s lips form the lines from that familiar childhood chant. “Jack and Susie sittin’ in a tree. K-i-s-s-i-n-g. First comes love. Then comes marriage then comes Jackie…”

Sue let her breath out slowly as she watched Tara’s gaze shift, the rest of the chant remaining unspoken. Thank You, she said as she raised her eyes towards the ceiling before following Tara’s gaze. She smiled pleasantly at the waiter waiting patiently by her side to take her order. What could I eat? she wondered as she quickly glanced down the menu, each item listed threatening to make the churning return to her queasy stomach. Just then, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. The dessert cart slowly rolled past, the sweet confections causing her mouth to water for the first time in weeks. She smiled as she saw a yummy strawberry shortcake perched on the very top of the cart. She turned to the waiter and pointed. “I’ll take that,” she smiled, quickly closing the menu. “And a glass of water, please.”

“Certainly, ma’am,” the waiter replied, bowing as he backed away from the table.

Sue turned to see two sets of laughing eyes staring at her, Tara and Lucy’s lips curled into knowing smiles. She felt the heat rush to her cheeks again and knew that they were pinker than they were seconds before. “What?” she asked.

“Skipping the main course for dessert, are we, Sue?” Lucy teased.

“I grabbed a bite before I left D.C.,” Sue shrugged. “I’m really not that hungry.” She rolled her eyes as Tara and Lucy both smiled and nodded. “Enough about my eating habits. What are the plans for the weekend girls?”

More later
Kim

She is so pregnant its not funny!

I love that the girls knew without Sue having to tell her secret.

Very clever trying to evade the question Sue. I'm wondering if Jack will be showing up as in 'see you later' so she can tell him before the girls get impatient. Yes, what are the plans girls?

I agree that it is neat that the girls read the signals all on there own without Sue even saying a word.

The secret is out, and no one had to tell Don't you just love "Best Friends"!!!

Kim, what a great start! This will be soooooo much fun!

I like the way that flows...makes me want to go find a dessert cart just so I can sample all the different desserts!!

i thought they might work it out

cath

I Agree LTs those girls arent dull

Great that the girls found it out without Sue having to tell them. Loved Sue's reaction... Now... will Jack indeed come ("just to take Levi home", of course ) and thus will he find this out before Sue gets home?

Oh this story is so cute!

I am positively loving it!!

that was very sweet but girls keep the secret till
jack knows please as it will only upset him after all its his more soon
please
Lin