I totally and 100% agree with you Kim. Jack handled that situation with honesty and prestige. Awesome job Jack!

Tina, Jack DOES on occasion blunder in his explanations, in that puppy-dog eyes, cute, sexy way of his!!!

Joy

You know I was thinking the same thing Linny!! Scary ain't it??

Sam

Joy, my brain knows this, but my heart sees him through Pathetic, ain't I?

They were still standing under the protective cover of the willow tree in the park where they had kissed when Jack took her hands in his. He wanted to reach into his pocket and pull out the ring that he had in his pocket and propose to her right then. But he didn’t. After the conversation he had earlier with Rosemary, he decided it might be better to wait until her grandmother returned home, or until Sue's grandmother knew him better and he could show her he was sincere.

“I was so nervous back there...with your grandmother,” he told her. “I had to pretend that I was interviewing someone at work to pull that one off.” He felt Sue stiffen.

“Pretend...pull off...didn’t you mean what you said to her?”

“What? No... I mean yes...I mean....I meant what I told her. Believe me.” Jack responded anxiously.

“I do. I just picked up on those words when I read what you said.”

That started a flurry of signing between them as he told her that he was sorry and she tenderly assured him he had nothing to apologize for.

Sue was still basking in the afterglow of saying goodnight to Jack when she and Levi returned to her apartment. She was a bit surprised to see her grandmother sitting on the couch waiting for her to return.

“Susan, I just wanted to apologize again if I offended you or Jackson tonight."

“I know. I appreciate your concern and I love you for it.”

“I know that my grandfather hurt you, my dad, and Uncle Paul deeply when he left you. But Jack is not like that.”

“I hope he is not like that as well. I am just cautioning that you should be very careful. I like your Jack, but some men can say the right things and sound sincere, but not mean a word of what they are saying. Some men can put on a good façade. You’re right that I have just met him. I will keep an open mind. I will also try to only offer my opinion if you ask for it. Agreed?”

“Agreed. You are going to be here for a week. We’ll have a chance to talk more, but right now I am tired and I know you are, too.”

The women hugged and told each other goodnight. Then Sue prepared the couch which was to be her bed for the night.

Jack's answers were perfect. I love that he can be honest and answered all of Sue's grandmothers question without letting out to much information in front of Sue.

I really love Rosemary...stubborn but caring.
Two qualities that Sue inherited
It sad Jack did not propose that night but understood his move...
Josy

I think Jack did the right thing by waiting. That way, neither Sue nor Rosemary could think he did it under duress.

Kim

Ivory, as much as I wanted Jack to propose, Kim is right. If he had, I don't think Sue would have thought he did it under duress b/c they have known each other for so long; however, Rosemary does not know him; and, with her negative attitude about men, would probably believe he did.

Now, this is going to be a long week. I hope Jack can maintain his resolve to wait to propose until Rosemary goes home. However, I have an idea .....well, I'll keep it to myself and see if that's where you take us.

I'm glad Rosemary apologized to Sue and they talked about it. Now, on with the dinner tomorrow evening. This goes good with meat loaf!

Lynn

rosemary has to remember that not all men are lying, cheating scum

cath

Oh, I hope that man doesn't do anything to screw this up!

poor jack but he does tell sue the truth and grandma is from the old school very prim and proper and also very afraid her granddaughter could get hurt like she did more soon please pretty please
Lin

At least Grandmother is giving Jack a chance! He would have probably already struck out on one side of the family if he was in my family! Glad they shared a

wow grandma is one though cookie... i think jack is going to have to fight for her blessing.... but how can you not love jack.. she will like him... i atleast hope.

Rosemary...is extremely over-protective and its very cute. I promise you tho Rosemary you will love Jack.

Do yourself a favour Jack...don't bumble this time.

I have a feeling that Jack is going to change Rosemary's view of men!!!

Joy

Ivory, I love this story. It is so fresh and your original character of Rosemary is perfect. I like the depth you are giving her. And, of course, I love a Jack with a box in his pocket.

The next morning Lucy was practically gushing with emotion as she addressed her teammates. “You should have seen Jack. He was amazing.” She glanced over toward the dark-haired agent’s desk that was currently unoccupied.

“And just what has Sir Jack done now to win him this endorsement from the ladies? Has he slain a dragon, or maybe won a joust in a tournament?” Agent Myles Leland the Third quipped as he approached the group.

“I don’t think Jack tangles with dragons or for that matter tries to outrun bulls who are running down the streets of Pamplona like you, Myles. More than likely this is about our Sue, I expect.” Agent Bobby Manning added.

“You are never going to let me live that down, are you, Koala Boy.”

“Probably not, Harvard.”

“Time out,” Lucy sputtered. “I am trying to tell you that Jack was being thoroughly grilled by Sue’s grandmother last night, and he handled it beautifully. It was actually all very romantic."

“Okay, Lucy, why don’t you enlighten us poor vassals. What did Sir Jack say?” Myles asked.

‘She asked him what his intentions were. He answered the question by telling her grandmother how he felt...that he would be a fool to ever walk away or leave her. He said that her gentle, compassionate spirit touched him. He said her faith inspires him. He said that her tender heart is something to cherish and protect, not throw away. He also called her brave and courageous.” Lucy clasped her hands to her heart as she retold the best part. "He told her that he loved Sue."

Tara Williams, the agent who never met a computer that could best her, sniffed. “That was beautiful.”

Just then Jack and Sue made their way in to the bullpen. Jack noticed the group who were congregated by Tara’s desk had all turned their eyes on him. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“Lucy here has just been singing the virtues of all things Hudson.” Myles told him.

“Huh?” Jack shook his head, not having a clue to what was up.

“Lucy told us what wonderful things you said to her grandmother last night, Jack.” Tara clarified.

Sue, who was standing by Jack, softly said, “Lucy’s right. He was wonderful.” She spontaneously gave Jack a kiss on the cheek.

“Hey. What about the other one?” Jack asked as he pointed to his other cheek.

She gave him a kiss on that cheek as well.

“Hey what did I miss?” D. wanted to know as he walked into the ruckus.

“You missed the fair lady giving the prince a kiss, and this time not in Dragon Lady’s office.” Lucy giggled.

Jack decided it was time to redirect the team. “Okay, guys. Since we are all here now, Sir Jack is about to call the knights and ladies of the round table to order and direct our focus on our case load.” He cleared his throat. “Now, where are we on the Costello case?”

Myles resonded, “Yes, I guess we have embarrassed Sir Jack and his fair lady enough for one day. I just finished checking with one of my informants and... .”

The morning flew by. Sue had invited her grandmother to come into work for a visit over the lunch hour. Sue got a call a little before noon from the reception desk that she had arrived with Alice Dotson. Lucy’s grandmother had offered to stop over at the apartment, meet her, and drive her into work. Rosemary was warmly greeted by the team. Sue and Lucy needed about ten or so minutes to finish a briefing for Jack because a court date had unexpectantly been moved forward on the calendar. She apologized while suggesting that Rosemary and Alice might want to go to the cafeteria and have a cup of tea while they waited for Lucy and her to join them.

Rosemary and Alice entered the cafeteria and got their tea from the cafeteria line. They chose a table and sat down, preparing to enjoy their drinks.

A group of four ladies were sitting at the table next to her were engaged in lively conversation. Rosemary was about to take a sip of her tea when they heard one of the girls at the other table mention Lucy's name. One look at Alice told her that Alice heard it, too.

The voice that caught their attention was saying, “So, Cindy, I hear you are starting a temporary assignment next week to help their rotor, Lucy Dotson, with a special assignment."

"Yeah, I just found out. I'm excited about it. That team is legendary...not to mention the added benefit that there are several drop-dead handsome single men working on that team...Jack Hudson for one.”

“Oh, can I have your assignment, Cindy. He is really hot. I hear that he is a real ladies’ man."

Rosemary felt her stomach tie in knots.

Arrrggghhh! You're serious!!!
Gossips!! Jack is now dead meat!!!
I am really curious how he will get out of this one!!
Ivory...bravo...I think it's the first I groaned of frustration that loud in the front of my computer...my hubby thinks I am crazy
Josy

Not good.....and ladies get your facts straight Jack is happily taken!

This is not good...I don't think JAck will really ever out run his "ladies man" reputation.

Ladies, would you get the with the program...Jack is now Sue's man forever!

Uh-oh spagetti-o!

Kim

jack get that ring on sues finger quickly gradmother has heard someone with a big mouth telling people your a ladys man
Lin

Oh, oh, this is not good!!!

Joy

Oh, no.... ***groan*** What a thing for Rosemary to overhear! Is she going to give Jack the benefit of doubt? She should ask Lucy about Jack. Well, shucks, she should ask Grams Dotson....Lucy will undoubtedly have shared all she knows of Jack and Sue with her grams.

Now, why am I thinking this won't happen until further in the week. But, let's rethink this....Rosemary is a very direct lady. So, maybe she will just tell Jack what she overheard and ask him to explain! Or Lucy! Or Sue! She certainly won't stew over it, that I'm pretty sure! Ivory, I can't wait to see how Rosemary reacts to this, apparent to her, disturbing news!

Lynn

Oh, I could feel it coming as soon as I read "A group of four ladies were sitting at the table next to her " and I wanted to run over and stuff a napkin in thier mouths! For future reference, it's extremely difficult to stuff a napkin through a computer screen!!

Poor Jack, now he's going to have to defend himself against rumors he doesn't ever know about and doesn't deserve. Hmmmmmph.

Tina

he may or may not have been in the past but now he's a one-woman man and has been for some time

cath

Now that I have a little time to post, I love your story Ivory, I've been laughing since Myles talk about 'Sir Jack'!! That was really funny!

The thing that is not funny is the gossip that the grannys heard!

Sue and Jack are keeping their relationship a secret? He is NOT single!

well, it look very interesting!

Keep posting!

Tere

oh no. i knew that was coming... i hate when that happens... one of them should really turn aroud and say somethig about it.. but on the other hand, that would look really weird... ugh gossip.

Uh oh!



Two wonderful posts, Ivory!
I hope Rosemary won't listen to a bunch of gossips and will keep an open mind where Jack is concerned!

Tracy

Rosemary did not have to hear that about Sir Jack and just after he'd been acting all knightly and irresistable. Ugh!!!

Oh dear, Rosemary has to get a handle on her bitterness. It has coloured her life, and is about to taint Sue's if she isn't careful!!!!

kav

Alice placed a hand on Rosemary’s hand to encourage her to stay to hear what was said, but Rosemary would have none of it. She started to pick up her tray in preparation to leave, but she couldn’t get away fast enough to avoid hearing as the rest of the conversation continued. She sat back down and listened.

“Down girls! He’s hot all right, but the word is that the captivating Agent Hudson is definitely not available. He hasn’t been since like forever. I know of several girls who have tried to get his attention, but with no success. They say he only has eyes for the analyst in his department, Sue Thomas. Haven’t your heard that he has been dating her ever since the lift on the no dating rule within units worked in their favor?”

“Well, if Hudson is taken, I couldn’t think of anyone better. She’s an amazing person.”

“I guess I’m glad to know that now before I started the assignment. Oh well, like they say, the good ones are always taken.”

The tittering gaggle of girls picked up their trays and left.

Rosemary looked like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Alice patted her new friend’s hand. “That sounds like the Jack Hudson I know.” She smiled at Rosemary. “You know, I have an idea that you have been worried about what kind of man Jack is, now that he is involved with Sue. Maybe the good Lord meant for you to hear that,” Alice suggested.

“Maybe He did,” Rosemary agreed. She gave a sigh. “I have been worried that Jackson will break her heart. I have seen men hurt her before. I have seen her face rejection because she can't hear. I don't want to see her hurt. I told her that I wasn’t sure I approved of her seeing him.”

“How did she react?”

“She defended him. She told me she loves him.”

“That sounds like Sue.”

"I confronted Jackson as well. When I asked him what his intentions were, he told me how he felt about her and that he loved her. I have been afraid he may be telling me what he thought I wanted to hear."

“When Lucy has been hurt in the past, I wanted to give the man what for. I think that feeling comes as part of being a grandmother. Any relationship is a risk. We have to take that risk whenever we chose to love someone.”

“I know, I have just been afraid that he will her hurt or leave her like her grandfather left me.”

“And you have been afraid that Sue will go her own way?”

“Yes, she is my granddaughter, after all.”

Sue and Lucy entered the cafeteria to see their grandmothers engaged in laughter.
“What’s going on? What did we miss?” Sue asked.

“It seems that I have just been receiving an education, that’s all.” At seeing Sue’s perplexed look, she stood up. "Never mind, dear. Let’s get our food, shall we? Suddenly I feel famished.” She and Alice Dotson shared a knowing smile and a wink.

Glad that those girls kept talking!

And I'm glad that Rosemary kept listening!
Great post, Ivory!

Tracy

Kaci and Tracy....

Glad Grams was able to delay Rosemary long enough for her to hear the beginning of the rest of the conversation. All's right in her world now...or right...er!

Lynn

Tere

so glad she heard the rest of the conversation

cath

I have to agree with cath and alice dotson is such a wise lady as well
Lin

Darn it! And I was so ready to join Tina into a nice game of napkin stuffing.

Oh well, I hope Rosemary's qualms about Jack only telling her what she wanted to hear will vanish soon. He's defiantely the real deal for her granddaughter and I'm sure he'll find a way to prove it... and then we shall all swoon!

I'm glad Alice was there to keep Rosemary from leaving!! She needed to hear the rest of that conversation!! We needed to hear the rest of that conversation!!!

Joy

well i'm glad she now knows that jack really isn't a bad man, he really is perfect for her grand daughter.

Wow. That may be the first time in like, the history of the earth that gossip has been a GOOD thing!

Fortunately for Jack, those girls weren't fantasizing like we.. OK, I... sometimes... OK, always.... do. He'd have never been able to get out of trouble with Rosemary!

Ms. Dotson, you're a clever one. Lucy's mighty luck to have a grandmother like you!

Tina

Tina, that's what I was thinking. Alice made a good point. Maybe the good Lord knew exactly what Rosemary needed to here.

Great post, Ivory! I'm loving this.

I'm glad Rosemary had hear that conversation...but still it was a close one
And I really like what Ms. Dotson replied: it maybe was meant to be heard ;0)
Goos story Ivory
Josy

Thaank you Ladies for your continued yapping! Alice, you are one smart cookie!!!!!

Thank goodness Alice was there and thank goodness the rabid-over-Jack ladies were as nice as we all were because no matter how much we love him, we'd never stand in Sue's way.

kav

Thanks so much for the wonderful encouragement.

Sue tried all that afternoon to figure out what it was that had seemed to bolster her grandmother’s spirits. She thought it might have something to do what ever it was that happened at lunch, but whenever she tried to pin her down, her grandmother would skillfully change the subject. Finally she conceded that she was just not going to get any
answers from her. She decided that maybe it was as simple as the fact that her grandmother and Alice seemed to enjoy meeting each other.

Her grandmother was in her bedroom writing some letters while Sue was busy getting ready for their dinner guests.

Sue turned off her curling iron and placed it on the counter to cool off. The result of her work was that her long, blond hair hung in gentle curls that caressed her shoulders. She put on a gold locket necklace that her Jack had given her. It was the perfect length for the neckline of the soft v-neck raglan sweater she chose to wear. It was a sweater that Rosemary had knit for her as a birthday gift last May.

She took one final look in the mirror, smiling as she felt the welcome warmth that would permeate her heart whenever she thought of him and knew she would soon be seeing him.

She had reminded Rosemary that their older friend, Charlie Adams, would also be joining them for dinner, carrying on a tradition with Charlie that had started back when Sue and Lucy first took their apartment.

She went out to the kitchen where she found her roommate Lucy in the middle of making a tossed salad

“Hey, Sue. Your meatloaf smells wonderful, as always.”

Thanks, Luce. We make a good team. Your salad dressing is the best. Both Jack and Charlie always request it.”

The girls worked together for a while on the dinner. Lucy pulled down some plates from the cupboard preparing to set the table. She turned to notice that her roommate had a gentle smile on her face. “Care to share, Sue? It looks like you are having pleasant thoughts.”

“I was just thinking that our grandmothers really seem to be getting along well.”

“I noticed. My grams will have no problem getting yours to warm up to her. I have never met a person yet that Alice Dotson was not able to win over.”

“That’s true,” Sue agreed. I just hope Jack will fare as well.

It was then that Levi pawed Sue to let her know that Jack had arrived. Levi had a special way he reacted when he knew it was Jack. Sue guessed it must be the footsteps.

“It looks like Sir Jack has arrived,” Lucy observed.

“Yes, my knight in shining armor.” Sue’s bright smile was still on her lips as she opened the door to him. She felt her knees go weak as her gaze met his. She wasn’t sure how, but she managed to move so that he could enter the entry hallway and close the door.

Once inside her apartment, Jack took her in his arms and kissed her. All of his training in order to protect himself and others made him into a formidable man, but when she was in his arms, his strength became a controlled passion that conveyed his love for her, and caused her to feel safe and cherished. Jack knew that they were probably not going to be alone for but a few moments, so he ended the kiss much earlier than he would have liked.

Suddenly Levi jumped up once again. “He’d like you to know that Charlie and Alice are at the door.” Jack informed his mistress. Charlie had picked Alice up, as he often did, for their dinners.

Charlie and Alice came in an made themselves comfortable. In a few minutes Rosemary joined them. When Charlie was introduced to Rosemary, a special spark seemed to appear in his eyes.

“Do you prefer being called Charlie or Charles?” Rosemary asked him as she offered him her hand to shake. .

“I go by Charlie, ma’am.” Charlie answered. “And what do you like to be called?”

“Please call me Rosemary. I understand from my granddaughter that you were a great help to her when she first moved to the city.”

“She was the one who reached out to me.”

“I see. It sounds like quite a story. I would enjoy hearing it sometime.”

“Well, you know, it may be that these young folks here will get called into work while you are here. If that happens, maybe we could take in a meal somewhere, and I could share it with you. I am sure Sue has downplayed her part in the telling of it.”

“I think I would like that, Charles...um...Charlie.”

Dinner everyone, Lucy called out. The group was soon enjoying themselves over some good food and fellowship, meatloaf style.

Alice suddenly spoke up as she passed some meatloaf to Charlie. “I hope I am not butting in, but I have a suggestion. Rosemary, I know you are going to want to spend as much time with Sue while you are here as you can, but I was just thinking...if Sue doesn’t mind...what you would think of the idea of spending a night or two while you are here at my condo? I have a guest bedroom that is ready for someone to use It would give the girls here more room, and give us a chance to get to know each other more. I would enjoy the company and we could get to know each other better. I understand that you like to knit. There is a great knitting club at my center.”

‘I think that would be very nice. Thank you for the invitation, but are you sure you won’t be inconvenienced.”

“Not a bit. Ever since my best friend Lil passed on, I have been rattling about my apartment like nobody’s business. Company would be nice.”

It was soon agreed that it was a wonderful idea.

Rosemary was also a newcomer to one of their other rituals. Recently, when they got together for their meatloaf dinners, the evening would often end with Sue playing the piano while Jack played along with her on his guitar. Once dinner was cleared away, he quickly retrieved his guitar from the car and tuned it. Like many guitar players, Jack had a pleasant voice. They started with a few rousing choruses of O Susanna and She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain, then it took off from there. My Wild Irish Rose was requested on Rosemary’s behalf.

Sue just couldn’t put her finger on it, but she had the sense as the evening progressed that Rosemary seemed to be more at ease with Jack.

A round of hot chocolate topped of a very pleasant evening.

And to quote the old newspapers, "A wonderful time was had by all." Do I detect a few sparks of the geriatric variety? What a terrific possibility!

There's hope for me yet!

Nice evening Ivory, very nice. Wish we could all hear Jack's singing voice; if it's as nice as his speaking voice... well, yet another reason to go ga-ga over the man.

Tina