I have caught up on 2 wonderful but sad post Im glad they are going with helga and hopefully they can tell each other how they feel and Im hoping maybe her brothers still alive cant wait for more Kim Lin
Full Version: To Remind The Living - Audiokim
RomanceFanFiction.net > The Highlights - A Place To Start > Seasonal/Holiday Challenges > 2007 Seasonal/Holiday Challenges > RomanceFanFiction Anniversary Challenge
I have caught up on 2 wonderful but sad post Im glad they are going with helga and hopefully they can tell each other how they feel and Im hoping maybe her brothers still alive cant wait for more Kim Lin
very emotional post
glad they are going with helga
cath
glad they are going with helga
cath
So she never exactly saw her brother die? I like that thought. Who knows? Maybe they'll meet up again. A family reunion for the ages.
Kim...this is a really wonderful and powerful story so far! I can't imagine the horror that Helga has gone through and the torture she goes through every night as a surviour. This breaks my heart. 
I love Helga's matchmaking skills tho
I have a feeling that things will not be the same for anyone who is going on this trip.
I love Helga's matchmaking skills tho
I have a feeling that things will not be the same for anyone who is going on this trip.
Kim,
I'm so sorry I've been AWOL on this story for awhile... I won't let it happen again. On the plus side (for me) is I was able to read back to back to back (to back? can't remember how many!) posts and really get into the plot. Wonderful Job. My very favorite part (so far) is when Jack put his hands over Sues and told Helga that he thought they made a lovely couple too. Reminded me so much of the scene in Who Wants to be a Millionaire when Sue tells Jack that it's nice of him to go on the date for Randy and he just grins and tells her he's not doing it for Randy. I imagine that same "I'm telling you something without really telling you something" grin was on his face during your scene as well. But your version is going to be so much better because instead of just LEAVING IT THERE... YOU'LL ACTUALLY HAVE THEM MOVE FORWARD!! And I can't wait. (You had no idea I'd be feeling that way, did you?
Great Job, as always,
Tina
I'm so sorry I've been AWOL on this story for awhile... I won't let it happen again. On the plus side (for me) is I was able to read back to back to back (to back? can't remember how many!) posts and really get into the plot. Wonderful Job. My very favorite part (so far) is when Jack put his hands over Sues and told Helga that he thought they made a lovely couple too. Reminded me so much of the scene in Who Wants to be a Millionaire when Sue tells Jack that it's nice of him to go on the date for Randy and he just grins and tells her he's not doing it for Randy. I imagine that same "I'm telling you something without really telling you something" grin was on his face during your scene as well. But your version is going to be so much better because instead of just LEAVING IT THERE... YOU'LL ACTUALLY HAVE THEM MOVE FORWARD!! And I can't wait. (You had no idea I'd be feeling that way, did you?
Great Job, as always,
Tina
I was touched by Helga’s story to the point of tears, along with Sue and Jack. It’s been a long time since I’ve read stories of WW II and the concentration camps. I am grateful you have chosen this subject because we must never forget.
Oh, now that throws a monkeywrench into an idea I had where you were taking us with this new character, John, and his grandfather. Now, I haven’t a clue. Guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
Another beautifully written and touching post, Kim.
Lynn
PS. Oh my gosh, I just had an idea about John and his grandfather. I hope I’m right.
QUOTE
Helga watched Jack’s lips as he started to protest. She gave him a stern look that caused his lips to snap shut and his hands to still as a rosy blush crept to his cheeks.
I love Helga’s look. I have used it countless times on my children and grandchildren. It is an endearing quality and one that works very well! You have described it perfectly.QUOTE
He took Sue’s hand in his, gently stroking his thumb across the knuckles. As he stared into her hazel eyes, he had his answer. He only hoped he could survive the journey with his heart intact. He was afraid he couldn’t spend the twelve days of the trip with Sue without revealing his heart. He could only pray that she would return his love if he found the words spilling out somewhere between D.C. and Germany. If not, he’d leave the broken pieces scattered from Germany back to D.C. He moved his gaze back to the woman across the table. He took a deep breath, drawing his lips into a thin line as he raised his free hand to speak. “Okay. We’ll go.”
Beautiful words revealing Jack’s thoughts Kim, utterly beautiful! Oh, now that throws a monkeywrench into an idea I had where you were taking us with this new character, John, and his grandfather. Now, I haven’t a clue. Guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
Another beautifully written and touching post, Kim.
Lynn
PS. Oh my gosh, I just had an idea about John and his grandfather. I hope I’m right.
Just a snippet tonight, guys. Thank you all for taking the time to read. You guys are wonderful!
People tend to remember best the things they have felt most deeply ~ David Riesman
John followed his father along the familiar trail from the front door to the den. He smiled his greeting to his mother as they passed the kitchen, gently declining her offer of dinner. He had met Candice in town for a bite to eat before she headed out of town for a mid-week business meeting. He waited until his father settled into his favorite chair and the gentle voice that still had a hint of a German accent filled the air. “What do you need to speak with me about, John?”
John reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew the flyer, smoothing it out before handing it across the short distance from the sofa on which he sat to the older gentleman sitting in the chair. “I want to take you, Dad. I want to see the countryside where you grew up. I want to see the history through your eyes.” He watched as the blue eyes misted with tears. He reached over and took the hand in his. “I want to see you heal. You’ve carried the burdens of what you saw for far too long. The memories are eating away at your soul and I want to help it stop.”
“I can’t go,” his father replied adamantly.
“Can’t or won’t,” John retorted. “Dad, please. Let’s go. Mom can stay with Candice while we’re gone. Please Dad.”
“I can’t, son.” He lowered his eyes as a tear traveled along the creases in the aging face, hanging in mid-air for a moment before dropping silently to wet the tip of the older gentleman’s shoe. “I don’t deserve to go.”
“Don’t deserve to go?” John repeated in disbelief. “What do you mean you don’t deserve to go? You were only a little boy, Dad. What could you have done that makes you undeserving to go back the place you spent your childhood?”
John felt his own tears sting his eyes as he saw the hollowness that swallowed the usual fire in his father’s sapphire blue eyes. The older man’s chin quivered slightly and his voice, barely above a whisper was thick with the emotions of the vivid memories of childhood. “Survived.”
More later
Kim
People tend to remember best the things they have felt most deeply ~ David Riesman
John followed his father along the familiar trail from the front door to the den. He smiled his greeting to his mother as they passed the kitchen, gently declining her offer of dinner. He had met Candice in town for a bite to eat before she headed out of town for a mid-week business meeting. He waited until his father settled into his favorite chair and the gentle voice that still had a hint of a German accent filled the air. “What do you need to speak with me about, John?”
John reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew the flyer, smoothing it out before handing it across the short distance from the sofa on which he sat to the older gentleman sitting in the chair. “I want to take you, Dad. I want to see the countryside where you grew up. I want to see the history through your eyes.” He watched as the blue eyes misted with tears. He reached over and took the hand in his. “I want to see you heal. You’ve carried the burdens of what you saw for far too long. The memories are eating away at your soul and I want to help it stop.”
“I can’t go,” his father replied adamantly.
“Can’t or won’t,” John retorted. “Dad, please. Let’s go. Mom can stay with Candice while we’re gone. Please Dad.”
“I can’t, son.” He lowered his eyes as a tear traveled along the creases in the aging face, hanging in mid-air for a moment before dropping silently to wet the tip of the older gentleman’s shoe. “I don’t deserve to go.”
“Don’t deserve to go?” John repeated in disbelief. “What do you mean you don’t deserve to go? You were only a little boy, Dad. What could you have done that makes you undeserving to go back the place you spent your childhood?”
John felt his own tears sting his eyes as he saw the hollowness that swallowed the usual fire in his father’s sapphire blue eyes. The older man’s chin quivered slightly and his voice, barely above a whisper was thick with the emotions of the vivid memories of childhood. “Survived.”
More later
Kim
The guilt that must be felt by those who survived while their families perished...unimaginable and you've portrayed it so well with this scene. Wonderfully written, Kim!
Wow! I am speechless! This keeps on getting more interesting the more I read it!
QUOTE
“What do you mean you don’t deserve to go? You were only a little boy, Dad. What could you have done that makes you undeserving to go back the place you spent your childhood?”
John felt his own tears sting his eyes as he saw the hollowness that swallowed the usual fire in his father’s sapphire blue eyes. The older man’s chin quivered slightly and his voice, barely above a whisper was thick with the emotions of the vivid memories of childhood. “Survived.”
I still feel the chill of the goosebumps. I'm so glad that Jack and Sue agreed to go with Helga. She definitely will need them there...and I have to say I am really liking where this story is going.John felt his own tears sting his eyes as he saw the hollowness that swallowed the usual fire in his father’s sapphire blue eyes. The older man’s chin quivered slightly and his voice, barely above a whisper was thick with the emotions of the vivid memories of childhood. “Survived.”
kav
That was a gripping and emotional post.
but what they went threw was heartbreaking butI have A feeling could john father be helgas brother I hope so then they can
have some happiness more soon please Kim
That was a powerful, but heartbreaking post
Well done Kim
Well done Kim
I'm confused. Why did I think it was John's grandfather and not his father? Excuse me while I go back and reread....Oh, I see, I read from the email notification which had grandfather one time...never mind there were many other references to father....I just zeroed in on grandfather. Once I get something in my head, it is awfully hard to get it out. At some point you changed the one reference from grandfather to father. Okay, now I'm going to have to adjust the age I had mentally calculated for John and his father!
A very touching scene. I can only imagine the guilt his father is feeling for having survived. And he has undoubtedly pushed those memories and the accompaning emotions out of his mind, buring them deep within his soul, as they are too painful to recollect. I speak from experience as one who hid my emotions from everyone, including myself, for over 20 years because they were too painful to examine.
I desperately want him to go, to get his emotions out into the open and face them so he doesn't have to fear them, so he will no longer feel guilty and ashamed. But I also know how hard that is to do. With the love and patience of John, and eventually, I hope, our dear Sue, Jack and Helga he will overcome this terrible burden he has carried for 60 years.
This is beautifully and tenderly portrayed, Kim, and I am profoundly touched, weeping for the pain and suffering both he and Helga have gone thru. I know this is only a story; but, sadly, it really isn't. And as the holocaust survivors pass away, it is up to us to remind the next generation of these horrific events in the history of the world so it doesn't happen again. Sadly, it still is happening, in the Sudan and other places around the world. Thank you for writing this story To Remind the Living, so aptly named.
Lynn
A very touching scene. I can only imagine the guilt his father is feeling for having survived. And he has undoubtedly pushed those memories and the accompaning emotions out of his mind, buring them deep within his soul, as they are too painful to recollect. I speak from experience as one who hid my emotions from everyone, including myself, for over 20 years because they were too painful to examine.
I desperately want him to go, to get his emotions out into the open and face them so he doesn't have to fear them, so he will no longer feel guilty and ashamed. But I also know how hard that is to do. With the love and patience of John, and eventually, I hope, our dear Sue, Jack and Helga he will overcome this terrible burden he has carried for 60 years.
This is beautifully and tenderly portrayed, Kim, and I am profoundly touched, weeping for the pain and suffering both he and Helga have gone thru. I know this is only a story; but, sadly, it really isn't. And as the holocaust survivors pass away, it is up to us to remind the next generation of these horrific events in the history of the world so it doesn't happen again. Sadly, it still is happening, in the Sudan and other places around the world. Thank you for writing this story To Remind the Living, so aptly named.
Lynn
Oh I think it's VERY important that John's father go revisit his homeland... in more ways than one. I think it will be one of the most important trips he's ever made.
Excellent Kim...
Tina
Excellent Kim...
Tina
beatifully and powerfully written
cath
cath
I hope you guys don't mind, but I'm not so sure Jack is going to make it to Germany with his heart as his own.
Speaking from the heart frees us from the secrets that burden us. ~ Sara Paddison from The Hidden Power of the Heart
Karl could not bring his eyes to meet those of his son. He kept his eyes rooted to the small brown knotty spot in the gleaming hard wood floor. He had kept his secret buried for such a long time, not wanting to burden his family with it. He watched as a pair of brown dress shoes passed into and out of his line of vision. If I keep quiet, he thought, John will let me be. But the warm hand that squeezed his shoulder and his son’s emotion softened voice told him his story would be told before the evening was over.
“Dad, what happened in Germany?”
John sat on the arm of his father’s chair as the older man related the story of growing up in Nazi Germany. His heart broke as he watched his father’s normally squared shoulders droop under the burden of the guilt he had carried since he was a small boy. He did the only thing he knew to do. He wrapped his arm around his father’s shoulder, listened with a compassionate heart and asked God to give the older man peace.
“I was not quite six years old the day it happened,” Karl began. “I was so excited to go outside and play with my big sister in the bright sunshine. She couldn’t hear, but she could push a swing higher than anyone else I knew. She couldn’t listen with her ears, but she heard with her heart. She’d wipe my tears and hold my hand when those black boots of the soldiers would come marching by. Maybe it was because she couldn’t hear the sound of the clomping heels as they hit the pavement in regular unison nor the soft whistle in the air as those same boots lifted high and straight in perfect unison before falling to the ground with the sharp click over and over again. Maybe it was God knew she couldn’t hear, He gave her an extra helping of courage. I don’t know. But I do know my Helga was the bravest sister any little boy could wish for her.”
The silent pause lingered in the air as John gazed at the sad smile on his father’s lips. It was as if the older gentleman had been transported back to his sister’s side and he was reliving it all over again. “What happened to her, Dad?”
Karl’s adam’s apple bobbed furiously as he swallowed back the soft sobs and the tears that threatened to fall fast and furious. “I don’t…” He cleared his emotion clogged voice. “I don’t know. I can only assume that she, like the rest of them, died.” His hand hammered suddenly into his palm, the smack echoing around the room again and again before it slowly died away. “The bravest person I knew died,” he replied through clinched teeth. His breath was coming raggedly as the tears streamed down the crevices of his face in racing torrents. “And I lived. She died because those evil men in gray uniforms could only see the defect, not the spirit or the heart. And I…” His voice broke, his remaining words struggling to be more than a whisper. “I survived because I was blonde haired and blue eyed. The perfect specimen of the Arian race.” He sniffed indignantly. “The perfect specimen of cowardice, would be more appropriate. I didn’t fight back. I let them take me. I let them give me to another family. I let them change my last name and learned to call someone else sister. And father and mother.”
John wrapped his other arm around his father, holding him close while the sobs shook the aging body. It was his turn to comfort the man who had spent a lifetime comforting him. “Dad, I still think we should go. What better way to honor your parents’ memory? Your sister’s memory. Being able to say goodbye in a place like they were taken too and died in just might help lighten that load of guilt you’ve been carrying around all these years. What do you say?”
Karl shook his head. “I don’t know, son.” He allowed John’s words to settle on his heart. His boy made good sense. Maybe seeing the inside of the concentration camp, standing near the ovens and in the barracks would help lift the burden of guilt. Maybe it is time to say goodbye. For the first time since he began his story, he lifted his eyes to meet the gentle brown eyes of his son. “Okay.”
Sue slipped her hand in to Jack’s as they walked Levi before returning to her apartment. It felt so right, so natural to have his hand gently holding hers. If only he weren’t holding it because I put my hand in his and he’s too much of a gentleman to pull away, she sighed. The night was calm, only the hint of a breeze blowing as the waning full moon shone down on the path, providing just enough light so that her sideways glances could take in the chiseled jaw and gently curling lips of the man who she wished would hold her heart as gently as he held her hand. Before her brain could stop her wayward heart, she leaned up and brushed her lips against his cheeks. She felt the rosy glow burn the skin of her face as he turned questioning brown eyes to gaze at her. “Thank you, Jack,” she said, trying to cover her actions with gratitude for Jack’s treatment of Helga. “Thanks for agreeing to go with Helga and me.”
Jack pulled her gently to the nearest street lamp. He pulled them both into the warm circle of light that would illuminate his lips and his heart. He dropped Sue’s hand to gently cup her warm cheeks in both his hands. He didn’t try to hide the twinkling light of love in his eyes as he gazed into hazel depths that seemed to be swimming with the same gentle emotions. At least I hope that’s love and not embarrassment causing them to shimmer like that. His thumbs, of their own volition, began to gently run back and forth across the high cheekbones in a tender caress. “I couldn’t let you go alone, Sue. Not after the pain I saw in your eyes during the Zimmer case and then again that day at the Holocaust Museum. I couldn’t bear to think of you thousands of miles away, hurting while I was here, too far away to hold you in my arms and comfort you.” He cleared his throat as he felt the heat flush his cheeks, hoping he hadn’t revealed so much that he would push her away.
“Why, Jack,” Sue asked, a thousand stars twinkling in her eyes as they slowly drifted over his face, hesitantly urging him to reveal his heart once and for all. “Why do you not want me to be thousands of miles away without you there to comfort me?”
Jack’s smile was soft and warm. His chocolate brown eyes were swimming with unspoken promises of the future. She held her breath as she forced her eyes to remain on his lips as they slowly moved to form the words that would change her life. “Because Sue, I love you. My heart has been yours since the day you stormed into my office over three years ago and I don’t intend to take it back. No matter what happens from this moment on, my heart will remain forever in you care.” His eyes moved slowly over her face in a gentle caress as he sought assurance that his feelings weren’t one sided. “Is there any chance you would give me yours in return?”
Sue sighed deeply as the tears that had pooled in the hazel depths tumbled silently down her cheeks, pooling against his thumbs until they slid over the edge and continued their trip to her chin. His heart fell as she shook her head. “I can’t Jack. I can’t give you something that no longer belongs to me.”
He looked away, not wanting her to see the disappointment in his eyes. “I understand.”
He lowered his hands from her cheeks and turned to walk away. Her small hand on his arm stopped him. His heart rose and soared out of his body to join the parade of joy that seemed to be dancing among the stars. “I don’t think you do, Jack,” Sue smiled. “I can’t give it to you because you already own it. You have since the moment you came to find me in the cafeteria after that first abysmal meeting. You’ve already said it, darling. No matter what happens from this point forward, my heart is yours forever. I love you too, Jack Hudson, in this life and in the life to come.”
Jack wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close until it seemed nothing separated their beating hearts. Smiling through his own tears, he lowered his head, brushing her lips with his until she groaned and invited him to taste more fully and deeply of the sweetness he would never grow tired of. In the simple dance of lips and teeth and tongues, two hearts united and two souls entwined.
More later
Kim
Speaking from the heart frees us from the secrets that burden us. ~ Sara Paddison from The Hidden Power of the Heart
Karl could not bring his eyes to meet those of his son. He kept his eyes rooted to the small brown knotty spot in the gleaming hard wood floor. He had kept his secret buried for such a long time, not wanting to burden his family with it. He watched as a pair of brown dress shoes passed into and out of his line of vision. If I keep quiet, he thought, John will let me be. But the warm hand that squeezed his shoulder and his son’s emotion softened voice told him his story would be told before the evening was over.
“Dad, what happened in Germany?”
John sat on the arm of his father’s chair as the older man related the story of growing up in Nazi Germany. His heart broke as he watched his father’s normally squared shoulders droop under the burden of the guilt he had carried since he was a small boy. He did the only thing he knew to do. He wrapped his arm around his father’s shoulder, listened with a compassionate heart and asked God to give the older man peace.
“I was not quite six years old the day it happened,” Karl began. “I was so excited to go outside and play with my big sister in the bright sunshine. She couldn’t hear, but she could push a swing higher than anyone else I knew. She couldn’t listen with her ears, but she heard with her heart. She’d wipe my tears and hold my hand when those black boots of the soldiers would come marching by. Maybe it was because she couldn’t hear the sound of the clomping heels as they hit the pavement in regular unison nor the soft whistle in the air as those same boots lifted high and straight in perfect unison before falling to the ground with the sharp click over and over again. Maybe it was God knew she couldn’t hear, He gave her an extra helping of courage. I don’t know. But I do know my Helga was the bravest sister any little boy could wish for her.”
The silent pause lingered in the air as John gazed at the sad smile on his father’s lips. It was as if the older gentleman had been transported back to his sister’s side and he was reliving it all over again. “What happened to her, Dad?”
Karl’s adam’s apple bobbed furiously as he swallowed back the soft sobs and the tears that threatened to fall fast and furious. “I don’t…” He cleared his emotion clogged voice. “I don’t know. I can only assume that she, like the rest of them, died.” His hand hammered suddenly into his palm, the smack echoing around the room again and again before it slowly died away. “The bravest person I knew died,” he replied through clinched teeth. His breath was coming raggedly as the tears streamed down the crevices of his face in racing torrents. “And I lived. She died because those evil men in gray uniforms could only see the defect, not the spirit or the heart. And I…” His voice broke, his remaining words struggling to be more than a whisper. “I survived because I was blonde haired and blue eyed. The perfect specimen of the Arian race.” He sniffed indignantly. “The perfect specimen of cowardice, would be more appropriate. I didn’t fight back. I let them take me. I let them give me to another family. I let them change my last name and learned to call someone else sister. And father and mother.”
John wrapped his other arm around his father, holding him close while the sobs shook the aging body. It was his turn to comfort the man who had spent a lifetime comforting him. “Dad, I still think we should go. What better way to honor your parents’ memory? Your sister’s memory. Being able to say goodbye in a place like they were taken too and died in just might help lighten that load of guilt you’ve been carrying around all these years. What do you say?”
Karl shook his head. “I don’t know, son.” He allowed John’s words to settle on his heart. His boy made good sense. Maybe seeing the inside of the concentration camp, standing near the ovens and in the barracks would help lift the burden of guilt. Maybe it is time to say goodbye. For the first time since he began his story, he lifted his eyes to meet the gentle brown eyes of his son. “Okay.”
~~~~~~
Sue slipped her hand in to Jack’s as they walked Levi before returning to her apartment. It felt so right, so natural to have his hand gently holding hers. If only he weren’t holding it because I put my hand in his and he’s too much of a gentleman to pull away, she sighed. The night was calm, only the hint of a breeze blowing as the waning full moon shone down on the path, providing just enough light so that her sideways glances could take in the chiseled jaw and gently curling lips of the man who she wished would hold her heart as gently as he held her hand. Before her brain could stop her wayward heart, she leaned up and brushed her lips against his cheeks. She felt the rosy glow burn the skin of her face as he turned questioning brown eyes to gaze at her. “Thank you, Jack,” she said, trying to cover her actions with gratitude for Jack’s treatment of Helga. “Thanks for agreeing to go with Helga and me.”
Jack pulled her gently to the nearest street lamp. He pulled them both into the warm circle of light that would illuminate his lips and his heart. He dropped Sue’s hand to gently cup her warm cheeks in both his hands. He didn’t try to hide the twinkling light of love in his eyes as he gazed into hazel depths that seemed to be swimming with the same gentle emotions. At least I hope that’s love and not embarrassment causing them to shimmer like that. His thumbs, of their own volition, began to gently run back and forth across the high cheekbones in a tender caress. “I couldn’t let you go alone, Sue. Not after the pain I saw in your eyes during the Zimmer case and then again that day at the Holocaust Museum. I couldn’t bear to think of you thousands of miles away, hurting while I was here, too far away to hold you in my arms and comfort you.” He cleared his throat as he felt the heat flush his cheeks, hoping he hadn’t revealed so much that he would push her away.
“Why, Jack,” Sue asked, a thousand stars twinkling in her eyes as they slowly drifted over his face, hesitantly urging him to reveal his heart once and for all. “Why do you not want me to be thousands of miles away without you there to comfort me?”
Jack’s smile was soft and warm. His chocolate brown eyes were swimming with unspoken promises of the future. She held her breath as she forced her eyes to remain on his lips as they slowly moved to form the words that would change her life. “Because Sue, I love you. My heart has been yours since the day you stormed into my office over three years ago and I don’t intend to take it back. No matter what happens from this moment on, my heart will remain forever in you care.” His eyes moved slowly over her face in a gentle caress as he sought assurance that his feelings weren’t one sided. “Is there any chance you would give me yours in return?”
Sue sighed deeply as the tears that had pooled in the hazel depths tumbled silently down her cheeks, pooling against his thumbs until they slid over the edge and continued their trip to her chin. His heart fell as she shook her head. “I can’t Jack. I can’t give you something that no longer belongs to me.”
He looked away, not wanting her to see the disappointment in his eyes. “I understand.”
He lowered his hands from her cheeks and turned to walk away. Her small hand on his arm stopped him. His heart rose and soared out of his body to join the parade of joy that seemed to be dancing among the stars. “I don’t think you do, Jack,” Sue smiled. “I can’t give it to you because you already own it. You have since the moment you came to find me in the cafeteria after that first abysmal meeting. You’ve already said it, darling. No matter what happens from this point forward, my heart is yours forever. I love you too, Jack Hudson, in this life and in the life to come.”
Jack wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close until it seemed nothing separated their beating hearts. Smiling through his own tears, he lowered his head, brushing her lips with his until she groaned and invited him to taste more fully and deeply of the sweetness he would never grow tired of. In the simple dance of lips and teeth and tongues, two hearts united and two souls entwined.
More later
Kim
Happy Dance! Happy Dance!! Sweet dreams for me!! Yippee Yay!!!
O-Kaaaay... someone's had too much sugar tonight... but you get my drift! Yippee Yay!!!
(And we already knew Jack wouldn't make it to Germany in possession of his heart... heck, he hasn't had that for ages now!)
Tina
O-Kaaaay... someone's had too much sugar tonight... but you get my drift! Yippee Yay!!!
(And we already knew Jack wouldn't make it to Germany in possession of his heart... heck, he hasn't had that for ages now!)
Tina
So many emotions ...
Karl... it was time he let the past go. He was a child. He did what needed to be done to survive.
Jack and Sue...
Karl... it was time he let the past go. He was a child. He did what needed to be done to survive.
Jack and Sue...
Mind that Jack will not make it to Germany with his heart as his own, I think not. That was amazing. What an incredible professsion of love you have shown here. It couldn't have been more beautiful.
Awww that was the sweetest thing I have read all day! 
so helga will meet up with her brother again soon, woohoo
and the fuzzies were, as always, wonderful
cath
and the fuzzies were, as always, wonderful
cath
I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! And you took my breath away with that sudden confession. You just couldn't keep Jack muzzled any longer, could you?kav
I agree with Tina. We already knew Jack wouldn't make it to Germany with his heart he lost it when Sue stormed into his office.Beautiful confession by them both. Can't wait for the rest and especially the reunion between Helga and Karl.
Jack finally confessed his true love to Sue... I love it! 
Helga and Karl...I can't wait for their reunion!!!!!
QUOTE
In the simple dance of lips and teeth and tongues, two hearts united and two souls entwined.
Beautiful.... absolutely poetic!!
jack and sue wonderful and maybe A few years of happinessfor helga and karl cant wait for there reunion more soon of this wonderful powerful story Kim
Lin
Can't wait for Karl and Helga to meet up! Jack and Sue 
AH-HA! I knew that Karl and Helga were siblings!! Whoo hoo!!!
And AWWWW on the J/S front!!
And AWWWW on the J/S front!!
I love how you're portraying Karl. He feels so much guilt for living because he was supposed to be part of the "perfect race" and because he's lost his one true family. Returning there will definately do him some good, especially if he crosses paths with a certain sister he hasn't seen in sixty years.
And... as for Jack and Sue... Whoo-hoo! And I agree with everyone who already said it, but Jack hasn't been in possession of his heart for a long time. Sue's had it since that first day and I'm sure he'll never want it back.
And... as for Jack and Sue...
Whoo-hoo! And I agree with everyone who already said it, but Jack hasn't been in possession of his heart for a long time. Sue's had it since that first day and I'm sure he'll never want it back.
Kim, this story feels like a big, fleecey blanket I'd want wrapped around me as I sit in front of a roaring fire, watching the snow fall through the window. (In other words - it's my pathetic attempt to tell you your story is perfect.) I can already tell that I'll need to keep a kleenex box handy (and shouldn't read while at school) as we travel to Germany.
QUOTE(flip @ Aug 30 2007, 05:37 PM) 
Kim, this story feels like a big, fleecey blanket I'd want wrapped around me as I sit in front of a roaring fire, watching the snow fall through the window. (In other words - it's my pathetic attempt to tell you your story is perfect.) I can already tell that I'll need to keep a kleenex box handy (and shouldn't read while at school) as we travel to Germany.
I am with you Flip!!
Sam
I promise to post a kleenex warning if the need arises.
The worst thing you can do for love is deny it; so when you find that someone special, don’t let anyone or anything get in your way. ~ Anonymous
Despite the gravity of the news they had to deliver to D today, Jack had never felt happier and more content in his life. He glanced at the blonde haired woman who owned his heart in its entirety. Her features silhouetted against the morning sky just coming to life outshone the rising sun. I still can’t believe she’s mine. That she loves me as deeply as I love her. The realization took his breath away and made his heart beat while giving him a reason to keep drawing air into his lungs and blood pumping through his veins.
He started to reach and draw her hand into his, but he berated himself for being so forward, griping the steering wheel tightly. He rolled his eyes as he realized he no longer had to fight the urge to touch her or hold her or kiss her. She had given him her heart and had taken his in return. You don’t have to fight the feeling, Jack. You have been given the privilege to touch Sue. To hold her and kiss her. To love her in this world and the next. He felt the lopsided grin grow on his lips as he removed his right hand from the steering wheel. He reached over and touched Sue’s hand, feeling the shiver of pleasure as she eagerly turned her hand over. She accepted his hand in hers as willingly as he offered it.
As he held her hand while he drove through the busy morning streets of D.C., his mind wandered back to the night before. After they had made their confession, they wound their way back to Sue’s apartment, stopping often to hold one another and whisper kisses against heated cheeks and swollen lips. Jack was excited to find Lucy was still out, having decided to swing by her grandmother’s place and spend an hour or so before coming home. Sue’s smile had been soft and shy as she invited him into her apartment, dipping her head and gazing at him through the veil of her bangs. They had snuggled together on the sofa, sharing tender caresses and whispered words of love and devotion, Sue’s eyes sparkling though her tears of joy. Or maybe it only looked like she was crying as I was watching her though my own tears, he smiled.
Somewhere in the middle of it all, the conversation had taken a serious turn. “What are we going to do about work, Jack?” Sue had asked, hesitation and fear edging into her voice and consuming her eyes. “Are you really going to want to be with me…”
Jack had gently placed his fingers against her lips, silencing her words. He had smiled gently as he tenderly cupped her cheeks in his hands, dragging in a ragged breath as she leaned into his left palm, pressing her warm cheek further into his hand. With a touch that was light and reassuring, he slowly traced lines back and forth along her cheekbones with the pads of his thumbs. “Sue, I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Just the thought of being without you if you had taken that job in New York left me feeling empty and alone. You complete me, Sue. You make me whole; make it worth waking up every morning just on the chance I’ll get a chance to spend time with you. The job can go hang for all I care. I’ll dig ditches for the rest of my life as long as I get to spend my time away from work with you.”
He chuckled as he remembered the way she flung her arms around his neck, pressing her lips against his with such passion that it took his breath away. “I love you, Jack Hudson,” she smiled once they came up to draw oxygen into their burning lungs.
They had decided to talk to D this morning when they requested time off for the trip to Germany in a couple of week. Jack knew D would keep quiet about their changing relationship until they left for Germany. Then he hoped during the two weeks they were away, his friend and supervisor could come up with a loophole that would allow them to remain on the same team. But if he can’t, Jack mused. Then I’ll take transfer or leave the Bureau and practice law. I don’t need the job. As long as I have Sue, that’s all I need.
Jack had spent a restless night, praying that Sue would not change her mind. He was so afraid her kind, generous heart would step in and she would give up her relationship with him so he could keep the job he loved. God please let her realize that I love her so much more than I could love anything or anyone else on this earth. Let her realize that the job is just that, a job. What I have with Sue and want with her is a life. When she opened the door to her apartment this morning and was wearing the red sweater that she had not worn since the Callahan and Merced case, he knew his prayers had been answered. She had taken his breath away, just like she did that night. But this time, the meeting of lips was a union of souls, not a veiled dream he tried to cover as treating it like a reaction to a situation.
Thank You for bringing Sue into my life and for giving her to me to love, he prayed as they came closer to the Hoover Building. Thank You for allowing her to return my love and for allowing me to offer myself to her. Now if You could just work on getting that antiquated policy changed, he grinned. I’d be a happy camper.
He pulled into the parking garage, releasing Sue’s hand to put the car in park and turn off the ignition. The concern in her hazel eyes as he gazed at him made his heart ache and his arms long to hold her until she was as convinced as he was. “Are you sure about this, Jack?” she whispered.
Jack leaned across the console and brushed first her cheek and then her lips with his, keeping the touch as light as a butterfly’s wings. “Absolutely.”
“So am I,” she smiled. He knew her hazel eyes had twinkled before, but never with such intensity and brightness as they did at that moment. “Let’s go tell D that I love you and you love me,” she breathed as she leaned across the console towards him. “Then we can tell the world.”
D couldn’t hide the smile that grew on his lips as he listened to Jack and Sue explain how they had finally come to the point that they could no longer suppress the feelings they had for one another. “Well it’s about time,” he chuckled at the shocked faces of the agent and the analyst. “The entire building knew that this would be coming before either of you had a clue.”
“Does that mean we don’t have to worry about our places on the team?” Sue asked. D’s heart sank a little as the scared timbre to her voice.
He shook his head. “I didn’t say that.” His gaze moved between the two people who stood before him with their hands clasped tightly. “But giving me these next four weeks—the two before you leave and the two you are away—that gives me time to see what I can work out.” He noticed the wariness that flitted quickly across the two sets of eyes before it was replaced with the resolve that told him this story was forever; that their love was the kind that would survive anything, event the FBI’s antiquated dating policy. “You two let me worry about this until you get back from your trip with Helga. Just enjoy the moments you have together. Grab a hold of the day and let tomorrow take care of itself.”
“That’s exactly what I’m planning to do,” Jack smiled. The lover’s gaze the two shared almost made D sigh like a girl at a chick flick. “And I promise that Sue will do the same thing. I’m going to make that my priority until we know. Then we’ll deal with whatever they throw at us.” His free hand reached over and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. “Together,” he whispered. D knew the last statement was more for Sue’s sake than his, but still, it warmed his heart to know that the team’s prayers for the Turtle Jack and Shy Sue had not been in vain.
More later
Kim
The worst thing you can do for love is deny it; so when you find that someone special, don’t let anyone or anything get in your way. ~ Anonymous
Despite the gravity of the news they had to deliver to D today, Jack had never felt happier and more content in his life. He glanced at the blonde haired woman who owned his heart in its entirety. Her features silhouetted against the morning sky just coming to life outshone the rising sun. I still can’t believe she’s mine. That she loves me as deeply as I love her. The realization took his breath away and made his heart beat while giving him a reason to keep drawing air into his lungs and blood pumping through his veins.
He started to reach and draw her hand into his, but he berated himself for being so forward, griping the steering wheel tightly. He rolled his eyes as he realized he no longer had to fight the urge to touch her or hold her or kiss her. She had given him her heart and had taken his in return. You don’t have to fight the feeling, Jack. You have been given the privilege to touch Sue. To hold her and kiss her. To love her in this world and the next. He felt the lopsided grin grow on his lips as he removed his right hand from the steering wheel. He reached over and touched Sue’s hand, feeling the shiver of pleasure as she eagerly turned her hand over. She accepted his hand in hers as willingly as he offered it.
As he held her hand while he drove through the busy morning streets of D.C., his mind wandered back to the night before. After they had made their confession, they wound their way back to Sue’s apartment, stopping often to hold one another and whisper kisses against heated cheeks and swollen lips. Jack was excited to find Lucy was still out, having decided to swing by her grandmother’s place and spend an hour or so before coming home. Sue’s smile had been soft and shy as she invited him into her apartment, dipping her head and gazing at him through the veil of her bangs. They had snuggled together on the sofa, sharing tender caresses and whispered words of love and devotion, Sue’s eyes sparkling though her tears of joy. Or maybe it only looked like she was crying as I was watching her though my own tears, he smiled.
Somewhere in the middle of it all, the conversation had taken a serious turn. “What are we going to do about work, Jack?” Sue had asked, hesitation and fear edging into her voice and consuming her eyes. “Are you really going to want to be with me…”
Jack had gently placed his fingers against her lips, silencing her words. He had smiled gently as he tenderly cupped her cheeks in his hands, dragging in a ragged breath as she leaned into his left palm, pressing her warm cheek further into his hand. With a touch that was light and reassuring, he slowly traced lines back and forth along her cheekbones with the pads of his thumbs. “Sue, I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Just the thought of being without you if you had taken that job in New York left me feeling empty and alone. You complete me, Sue. You make me whole; make it worth waking up every morning just on the chance I’ll get a chance to spend time with you. The job can go hang for all I care. I’ll dig ditches for the rest of my life as long as I get to spend my time away from work with you.”
He chuckled as he remembered the way she flung her arms around his neck, pressing her lips against his with such passion that it took his breath away. “I love you, Jack Hudson,” she smiled once they came up to draw oxygen into their burning lungs.
They had decided to talk to D this morning when they requested time off for the trip to Germany in a couple of week. Jack knew D would keep quiet about their changing relationship until they left for Germany. Then he hoped during the two weeks they were away, his friend and supervisor could come up with a loophole that would allow them to remain on the same team. But if he can’t, Jack mused. Then I’ll take transfer or leave the Bureau and practice law. I don’t need the job. As long as I have Sue, that’s all I need.
Jack had spent a restless night, praying that Sue would not change her mind. He was so afraid her kind, generous heart would step in and she would give up her relationship with him so he could keep the job he loved. God please let her realize that I love her so much more than I could love anything or anyone else on this earth. Let her realize that the job is just that, a job. What I have with Sue and want with her is a life. When she opened the door to her apartment this morning and was wearing the red sweater that she had not worn since the Callahan and Merced case, he knew his prayers had been answered. She had taken his breath away, just like she did that night. But this time, the meeting of lips was a union of souls, not a veiled dream he tried to cover as treating it like a reaction to a situation.
Thank You for bringing Sue into my life and for giving her to me to love, he prayed as they came closer to the Hoover Building. Thank You for allowing her to return my love and for allowing me to offer myself to her. Now if You could just work on getting that antiquated policy changed, he grinned. I’d be a happy camper.
He pulled into the parking garage, releasing Sue’s hand to put the car in park and turn off the ignition. The concern in her hazel eyes as he gazed at him made his heart ache and his arms long to hold her until she was as convinced as he was. “Are you sure about this, Jack?” she whispered.
Jack leaned across the console and brushed first her cheek and then her lips with his, keeping the touch as light as a butterfly’s wings. “Absolutely.”
“So am I,” she smiled. He knew her hazel eyes had twinkled before, but never with such intensity and brightness as they did at that moment. “Let’s go tell D that I love you and you love me,” she breathed as she leaned across the console towards him. “Then we can tell the world.”
~~~~~~
D couldn’t hide the smile that grew on his lips as he listened to Jack and Sue explain how they had finally come to the point that they could no longer suppress the feelings they had for one another. “Well it’s about time,” he chuckled at the shocked faces of the agent and the analyst. “The entire building knew that this would be coming before either of you had a clue.”
“Does that mean we don’t have to worry about our places on the team?” Sue asked. D’s heart sank a little as the scared timbre to her voice.
He shook his head. “I didn’t say that.” His gaze moved between the two people who stood before him with their hands clasped tightly. “But giving me these next four weeks—the two before you leave and the two you are away—that gives me time to see what I can work out.” He noticed the wariness that flitted quickly across the two sets of eyes before it was replaced with the resolve that told him this story was forever; that their love was the kind that would survive anything, event the FBI’s antiquated dating policy. “You two let me worry about this until you get back from your trip with Helga. Just enjoy the moments you have together. Grab a hold of the day and let tomorrow take care of itself.”
“That’s exactly what I’m planning to do,” Jack smiled. The lover’s gaze the two shared almost made D sigh like a girl at a chick flick. “And I promise that Sue will do the same thing. I’m going to make that my priority until we know. Then we’ll deal with whatever they throw at us.” His free hand reached over and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. “Together,” he whispered. D knew the last statement was more for Sue’s sake than his, but still, it warmed his heart to know that the team’s prayers for the Turtle Jack and Shy Sue had not been in vain.
More later
Kim
QUOTE
Thank You for bringing Sue into my life and for giving her to me to love, he prayed as they came closer to the Hoover Building. Thank You for allowing her to return my love and for allowing me to offer myself to her. Now if You could just work on getting that antiquated policy changed, he grinned. I’d be a happy camper.
Well, there's nothing like going to the top! D will be happy to know he's got friends in very high places when comes to doing something about that policy!!
Tina
I got so ticked when Jack talked about the rule as he prayed. I enjoyed reading about their time talking with D.
that was beautiful but Im pleased there is no back pedling nowjust hope D can do something to help them more soon please Kim
Lin
No matter what happens, it will work out!
I have all the faith in the world...that everything is going to be just fine!
What a great scene Kim! :heart:
with god and D working on it, the policy is doomed to failure
loved the fuzzies
cath
loved the fuzzies
cath
Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way ~ Dr. Seuss
The Germans soldiers pushed him to the head of the line. He picked out the snippets of conversation going on between the man in the black helmet and the man in the black uniform with the red armband on with the spider in the center. “You see Herr Himmler. Is he not the perfect specimen?”
Karl swallowed hard and pressed his knees together to stop the quaking. He lowered his eyes as the man in black approached. He walked around him, taking him in with an educated eye just like his Papa did when he was examining the diamonds he cut. He tried without success to stop the shiver that raced down his spine, causing him to twitch slightly. “And where was he found?”
“With one of the defectives we took this morning,” the soldier in the black helmet replied.
Karl knew the solider was talking about his sister, Helga. He could feel the anger rising in his little body as he jerked his eyes upward, glaring at the man standing in front of him. “She’s not defective!” he shouted.
The tears burned the reddening skin of his cheeks as he lifted his hand to cover the place the leather glove had landed with a snap that left his ear ringing. The soldier was glaring at him through narrowed eyes. His long nose was within inches of his younger, shorter on. “You will speak only when spoken to!” he shouted. “Do you understand.” Karl stood silent, staring at the dirty floor just inches away from soldier. He pressed his lips together, refusing to speak until the man raised the glove held in his fist, drawing back to deliver a matching blow to the other cheek. Karl ducked and moved sideways, nodding his head as he did so. “Good.”
“I think you are right, Colonel,” the man with the armband with the spider on it said. “He is a fine specimen of the Aryan race. Take him to the Shultz farm. They had been a fine supporters of the Fuhrer. They deserve such a wonderful son.”
“My name is not Karl Shultz! My name is not Karl Shultz! My name is…
The sweat beaded on his forehead and his breathing was coming in shallow bursts as his eyes flew open. He was glad that Marion had gone to stay with Candice. He had a feeling his nightmare would have made it a restless night for them both. I just hope I didn’t shout in my sleep, he groaned as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. With John sleeping just down the hall, he didn’t want to disturb his son. Tomorrow was going to be a long day a and at least one of them needed a good night’s sleep before the arduous journey back to his childhood home.
The red numbers on the alarm clock sitting on the bedside table told him it was too early to rise. He closed his eyes, willing his mind to relax and think of the wonderful life and marvelous family he had. Those thoughts had been few and far between in the two weeks since John had persuaded him to go to the commemoration ceremony. The trip had loomed like a mountain in his path for days. It was a mountain he had wished he could skirt, but it looked like the only way to get past it was to go over it. Please Father, he breathed. Since You can’t move this mountain for me, please give me the strength to get over it. Maybe once I’m on the other side, I can finally lay down this burden of guilt I have carried for so long.
Sue smiled as the light flashed on and off in her bedroom. She closed the lid of her suitcase and zipped it before she turned to acknowledge her roommate and friend with a warm smile. Lucy’s eyebrows arched in question as she signed, “You have everything?”
The simple question tugged at Sue’s resolve. She and Jack had decided, in order to keep their relationship out of the Bureau rumor mill until D had a chance to check into the no dating policy, that they wouldn’t tell anyone outside of their families about their changing relationship. So they had continued their normal routine, dating without dating. And since Jack had started to attend church with Sue after the New York scare, Lucy thought nothing of Jack showing up on Sunday mornings and joining them for lunch after the service. Still, on more than one occasion, she had caught Lucy looking at her with that I-know-you’re-hiding-something-and-I-may-not-know-what-it-is-at-the-moment-but-I-will-find-out look. Each time, she had met that challenging gaze with a neutral expression, while inside, her heart was screaming, “Jack and I are together!”
Sue answered the question honestly as she tugged the suitcase off the bed. “Yep. I sure do.” And she did. With Jack in her life, returning her love tenfold, she did have everything she’d ever dreamed of. Or I will soon, she hoped. She sat the suitcase down beside her as she pulled Lucy into a warm embrace. “Thanks for taking care of Levi for me.”
“No problem,” Lucy signed with a smile. Sue couldn’t help but notice the sadness that edged the usually sparkling dark eyes. “Keeping the Wonder Dog will give me someone to talk to while you’re gone.” Sue started to speak, feeling a tinge of remorse for her friend’s loneliness when she herself was blissfully happy. But Lucy’s abrupt head turn towards the bedroom door told her of Jack’s arrival just seconds before Lucy turned to speak to her. “That’s the doorbell. Looks like Jack’s here.”
Sue nodded, hoping her face didn’t flush with the excitement that tore through her body at the mention of her love’s name. She lifted her suitcase and followed Lucy from the room, pausing briefly to instruct Levi. “You look after her, you hear?” She smiled as she saw Levi bob his head before letting his tongue drop from his mouth in an open-mouthed pant. “Good. See you in two weeks.”
Jack’s chocolate brown eyes were twinkling with the excitement of a little boy who had just been told he was going to Disney World. He gave Sue a lopsided grin that told her he loved her without raising Lucy’s suspicions as he reached for the suitcase in her hand. He juggled it a little until it was comfortably in his grip. “You ready?”
“Yep,” Sue smiled. She turned and gave Lucy another small hug. “I’ll see you in a couple of weeks, Luce.”
“Be careful you two,” Lucy admonished. Sue was happy to see the twinkle return to her friend’s eyes. “And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Never, Luce,” Jack chuckled as he ushered Sue out the door. “Never.”
As they approached Jack’s car, Sue felt Jack slow his steps. She turned to ask him what was wrong when she saw the love and concern reflecting in the shimmering depths of his eyes. “Are you sure you have everything?”
The question echoed the one Lucy had asked. But the answer was given in an entirely different way. She leaned close, standing on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his in feathered softness. She pulled away before he had a chance to take control of the kiss and gave him a brilliant smile. “Now I do,” she whispered as she slipped her hand in his free one.
More later
Kim
The Germans soldiers pushed him to the head of the line. He picked out the snippets of conversation going on between the man in the black helmet and the man in the black uniform with the red armband on with the spider in the center. “You see Herr Himmler. Is he not the perfect specimen?”
Karl swallowed hard and pressed his knees together to stop the quaking. He lowered his eyes as the man in black approached. He walked around him, taking him in with an educated eye just like his Papa did when he was examining the diamonds he cut. He tried without success to stop the shiver that raced down his spine, causing him to twitch slightly. “And where was he found?”
“With one of the defectives we took this morning,” the soldier in the black helmet replied.
Karl knew the solider was talking about his sister, Helga. He could feel the anger rising in his little body as he jerked his eyes upward, glaring at the man standing in front of him. “She’s not defective!” he shouted.
The tears burned the reddening skin of his cheeks as he lifted his hand to cover the place the leather glove had landed with a snap that left his ear ringing. The soldier was glaring at him through narrowed eyes. His long nose was within inches of his younger, shorter on. “You will speak only when spoken to!” he shouted. “Do you understand.” Karl stood silent, staring at the dirty floor just inches away from soldier. He pressed his lips together, refusing to speak until the man raised the glove held in his fist, drawing back to deliver a matching blow to the other cheek. Karl ducked and moved sideways, nodding his head as he did so. “Good.”
“I think you are right, Colonel,” the man with the armband with the spider on it said. “He is a fine specimen of the Aryan race. Take him to the Shultz farm. They had been a fine supporters of the Fuhrer. They deserve such a wonderful son.”
“My name is not Karl Shultz! My name is not Karl Shultz! My name is…
The sweat beaded on his forehead and his breathing was coming in shallow bursts as his eyes flew open. He was glad that Marion had gone to stay with Candice. He had a feeling his nightmare would have made it a restless night for them both. I just hope I didn’t shout in my sleep, he groaned as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. With John sleeping just down the hall, he didn’t want to disturb his son. Tomorrow was going to be a long day a and at least one of them needed a good night’s sleep before the arduous journey back to his childhood home.
The red numbers on the alarm clock sitting on the bedside table told him it was too early to rise. He closed his eyes, willing his mind to relax and think of the wonderful life and marvelous family he had. Those thoughts had been few and far between in the two weeks since John had persuaded him to go to the commemoration ceremony. The trip had loomed like a mountain in his path for days. It was a mountain he had wished he could skirt, but it looked like the only way to get past it was to go over it. Please Father, he breathed. Since You can’t move this mountain for me, please give me the strength to get over it. Maybe once I’m on the other side, I can finally lay down this burden of guilt I have carried for so long.
~~~~~~
Sue smiled as the light flashed on and off in her bedroom. She closed the lid of her suitcase and zipped it before she turned to acknowledge her roommate and friend with a warm smile. Lucy’s eyebrows arched in question as she signed, “You have everything?”
The simple question tugged at Sue’s resolve. She and Jack had decided, in order to keep their relationship out of the Bureau rumor mill until D had a chance to check into the no dating policy, that they wouldn’t tell anyone outside of their families about their changing relationship. So they had continued their normal routine, dating without dating. And since Jack had started to attend church with Sue after the New York scare, Lucy thought nothing of Jack showing up on Sunday mornings and joining them for lunch after the service. Still, on more than one occasion, she had caught Lucy looking at her with that I-know-you’re-hiding-something-and-I-may-not-know-what-it-is-at-the-moment-but-I-will-find-out look. Each time, she had met that challenging gaze with a neutral expression, while inside, her heart was screaming, “Jack and I are together!”
Sue answered the question honestly as she tugged the suitcase off the bed. “Yep. I sure do.” And she did. With Jack in her life, returning her love tenfold, she did have everything she’d ever dreamed of. Or I will soon, she hoped. She sat the suitcase down beside her as she pulled Lucy into a warm embrace. “Thanks for taking care of Levi for me.”
“No problem,” Lucy signed with a smile. Sue couldn’t help but notice the sadness that edged the usually sparkling dark eyes. “Keeping the Wonder Dog will give me someone to talk to while you’re gone.” Sue started to speak, feeling a tinge of remorse for her friend’s loneliness when she herself was blissfully happy. But Lucy’s abrupt head turn towards the bedroom door told her of Jack’s arrival just seconds before Lucy turned to speak to her. “That’s the doorbell. Looks like Jack’s here.”
Sue nodded, hoping her face didn’t flush with the excitement that tore through her body at the mention of her love’s name. She lifted her suitcase and followed Lucy from the room, pausing briefly to instruct Levi. “You look after her, you hear?” She smiled as she saw Levi bob his head before letting his tongue drop from his mouth in an open-mouthed pant. “Good. See you in two weeks.”
Jack’s chocolate brown eyes were twinkling with the excitement of a little boy who had just been told he was going to Disney World. He gave Sue a lopsided grin that told her he loved her without raising Lucy’s suspicions as he reached for the suitcase in her hand. He juggled it a little until it was comfortably in his grip. “You ready?”
“Yep,” Sue smiled. She turned and gave Lucy another small hug. “I’ll see you in a couple of weeks, Luce.”
“Be careful you two,” Lucy admonished. Sue was happy to see the twinkle return to her friend’s eyes. “And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Never, Luce,” Jack chuckled as he ushered Sue out the door. “Never.”
As they approached Jack’s car, Sue felt Jack slow his steps. She turned to ask him what was wrong when she saw the love and concern reflecting in the shimmering depths of his eyes. “Are you sure you have everything?”
The question echoed the one Lucy had asked. But the answer was given in an entirely different way. She leaned close, standing on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his in feathered softness. She pulled away before he had a chance to take control of the kiss and gave him a brilliant smile. “Now I do,” she whispered as she slipped her hand in his free one.
More later
Kim
It will be such an emotional trip.
You're doing a wonderful job with this story!
You're doing a wonderful job with this story!
Kim, this is incedible.
QUOTE
She leaned close, standing on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his in feathered softness. She pulled away before he had a chance to take control of the kiss and gave him a brilliant smile. “Now I do,” she whispered as she slipped her hand in his free one.
Well, call me breakfast 'cause I'm just a puddle of mush. Yes indeed Sue, you now have pretty much everything a girl could ask for.
And poor Karl, I'm so glad he's on his way to healing.
Tina
This is an emotional journey that I'm glad I'm on!
Awesome job so far Kim!
Awesome job so far Kim!
Everything will go alright I know it Karl! 
i hope helga and karl meet up soon
nice fuzzies there
cath
nice fuzzies there
cath
QUOTE
“Are you sure you have everything?”
The question echoed the one Lucy had asked. But the answer was given in an entirely different way. She leaned close, standing on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his in feathered softness. She pulled away before he had a chance to take control of the kiss and gave him a brilliant smile. “Now I do,” she whispered as she slipped her hand in his free one.
The question echoed the one Lucy had asked. But the answer was given in an entirely different way. She leaned close, standing on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his in feathered softness. She pulled away before he had a chance to take control of the kiss and gave him a brilliant smile. “Now I do,” she whispered as she slipped her hand in his free one.
That was just so..... Karl's memories coming to the fore front now are so heartwrenching to read. I can't wait until he can begin to heal.kav
the fuzzie bit was fantastic and they are together thats the main thing ,but now I just hope karl meets up with helga very soon now this is such an emotional story but so powerfully written cant wait for the reunion Lin
Yup, they definately have everything. This trip is going to benefit them both. I just have that feeling.
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