How devious can Charlie get????


I just love how Myles knew all along that it wasn't Jack's car

Myles can be devious... I think he can come up with a few distractions if he puts his mind to it.

Tina

that was so funny!!



I would like to know about these ideas

Wonderful Kim!

Tere

I just love charlie hes great im wondering if they answer lucy when she phones maybe not jusst hope not cant wait for the next post Kim
Lin

I don't know but for sure, we will have fun to watch though!!!
For sure Lucy is tenacious!!!
Josy

It was Charlie in the car. I can just see Lucy's surprised face and her determination to find out where they went. Good luck Myles! You might have to resort to tactics to entertain her for that long.

What an OPPORTUNITY!!!!!!!!!!!



Regina

Hmmmm, what is Charlie up to? Methinks the next 6 1/2 hours are going to be interesting!!! More please?

Kim, what a hilarious post!! Lucy on a mission!! I can just see her pushing Myles around (I personally am thankful that I was not driving the car in front of them when she hit the lights and the siren)!!!

Evidently Charlie can give Myles some ideas about keeping Lucy occupied for 6 - 1/2 hours!! But, Myles, go back to your statement "I'm not the turtle.....", and start courting Lucy again!! It might take her 6 - 1/2 hours to figure out what has gotten into you!!!

Joy

Kim, that was hilarious! I loved hearing Myles thoughts. Six and half hours could be a long time unless he uses Charlie's ideas to fill it.

Now, what kind of ideas does Charlie have? It won't take much to keep Lucy occupied, especially when she's on this very important mission she's set herself upon. Couldn't Myles just give her one of Levi's sedatives again? That would put her out of commission for a while.

i really thought for a second that jack and sue got caught. I wish i had a camera to catch lucy's reaction when she saw charlie and not j/s. poor myles looks like 6 and 1/2 hours isn't going to be so easy. hope charlie's ideas work.
update soon. i can't wait to find out what happens next!!

yeah that was priceless... i knew it had got to be charlie...really to funny.

Well I'm so relieved that Lucy's invited to the wedding! And 'm laughing my head off at Lucy's antics...and poor long suffering Myles! Sigh, you keep me smiling and I guess it makes me look more approachable and less stern no nonsense librarian because the students keep coming up to me for help even though it's my lunch hour!

kav

Sorry for the delay. I had a conference in Tuscaloosa and thought I'd have a chance to write on the ride over, or at least last evening when I checked into the hotel. I was wrong on both counts. The bold words are an English translation of ASL.

“I wonder what’s keeping Jack and Sue,” Carla Thomas mused absentmindedly as she helped Elizabeth Hudson put the finishing touches on a batch of homemade cinnamon rolls.

“You know my son,” the dark haired woman with the apron tied over her warm-up suit chuckled. “He had a tendency to be slow as molasses on a Wisconsin winter morning.”

“According to Lucy, he’s a turtle,” Carla chuckled. “At least when it comes to admitting his feelings for Sue.” She shook her head and sighed as she focused her concentration on the spatula laden with the sweet white icing for the aromatic rolls. “Of course, Sue wasn’t the fastest horse out of the shoot when it came to admitting her feelings for him either.”

“The important thing is that they finally owned up to their feelings,” Elizabeth replied, nudging Carla with her elbow. “That’s all that matters.”

Carla nodded, smiling at the woman who she was fast becoming friends with. It was easy to see where Jack got his kind heart and whimsical sense of humor. His mother was full of laughter and fun, but also had a tender heart that easily embraced those around her. His dark eyes and handsome features were a mirror image of Sam, his father. She glanced over at her husband and her daughter’s future father-in-law, laughing loudly at whatever joke one of them had just related. She was so pleased that they were getting along so well. It would make it so much easier on Jack and Sue if they didn’t feel like the two families were pulling them in two different directions. Especially when the grandchildren come along, she smiled, picturing beautiful children with dark, chocolate eyes. “I just hope they aren’t as slow when it comes to children,” she admitted. “I don’t want to be too old to bounce them on my knee.”

“I don’t think you’ll have anything to worry about,” a soft voice interjected. She turned to see blue eyes twinkling at her from behind silver-rimmed glasses. “Those two are so in love and devoted to one another, I have a feeling it won’t take long for all that extra love they share to overflow into happy, healthy children.” Carla smiled as Deanne offered her a sly wink.

“I hope you’re right,” Elizabeth added.

“Leave them alone,” Helga signed as she joined the little group gathering around the island in the middle of the spacious kitchen. “I knew all along they’d find their way to one another if everyone would just leave them alone. Those grandbabies will come. Just leave them alone and let Jack and Sue find their way together.”

Carla smiled as Deanne related what the older woman had said. Gazing at the two, strong deaf women, she once again offered up her thanks that Sue had found such wonderful friends and strong role models since moving to D.C. It had been hard letting go, watching her little girl use the wings she had given her to fly away from home. In fact, trying to hold her back and hold on after she left Ohio had almost cost them a relationship. She’d learned that first Christmas that Sue could stand on her own two feet. She had to back off, silently offering her support and giving her opinion only when asked for. It had been tough and she was far from perfect at it, but watching Helga and Deanne, the relationship her daughter had with Jack and his parents, it was definitely worth the effort.

Sniffing back the tears that suddenly flooded her eyes, she reached for her coffee cup sitting near the middle of the island. Nodding to Helga and Deanne, she swallowed the lump in her throat as she lifted her mug in the air. “Well,” she began. “Before the happy couple arrives, I just want to offer you my thanks.” Her gaze slowly drifted around the room, holding the gaze of each individual for just a moment before moving to the next. “Elizabeth, thank you for raising such a wonderful son. I couldn’t ask for a better match for my daughter. Thank you for excepting her for who she is.”

“I should be thanking you,” Elizabeth replied, swiping at the tears that escaped her eyes. “You’ve raised a loving, warm, generous woman with an independent spirit.” Her lips quivered as she offered a gentle smile. “You’ve raised my son’s soul mate.”

Carla returned the smile with a quavering one of her own before focusing on Deanne and Helga. “And I want to thank the two of you. You have been there for Sue when I couldn’t. Offering her the opportunity to become even more involved in her culture. An opportunity I stubbornly tried to deny her. In you both, she’s found two positive, strong, independent role models she can look to when the evils of the world get her down. For that I will be forever grateful.”

“We are the grateful ones,” Deanne said as Helga signed. “Helga and I both have come to think of Jack and Sue as members of our family. You and Elizabeth have every right to be proud of the fine young people you’re children have grown into. And that legacy will live on in their children and their children’s children.”

“I have told them from the beginning they are a handsome couple,” Helga signed, Deanne continuing to translate. “I’m just glad they finally listened to me.”

The women chuckled as they clinked their mugs of coffee together. Sipping the warm liquid, Carla couldn’t help but thing of the wonderful people her grandchildren would be blessed to have in their lives if and when they arrived. Loving parents, adoring grandparents, uncles and aunts, and some very special “adopted” grandparents and aunts and uncles would surround and support them. Just like they were surrounding and supporting Sue and Jack. She smiled as the ringing doorbell and the muffled mutterings of either Jack’s father or her husband filtered into the kitchen. She placed her mug on the island and clapped her hands together, rubbing them together with glee. “I bet that’s the happy couple now.”

More later
Kim

So beautiful, touching, tender, wonderful moment!!



Tere

Oh, that was a treat... getting an inside peak into the mother's feelings at this time in their children's lives. And a very inspired writing. Thanks Kim!

Tina

Great story Kim! I'm enjoying every post!

Donna

You've made me cry again, Kim!! But, that's okay, they're happy tears!!!

Joy

that was wonderful loved the mums thoughts so beautifully written Kim
cant wait for the next postKim
Lin

What a beautiful glimpse into Carla's heart!

That was a lovely post.
To see all that love flowing...this day will be magical!!
Josy

Jack felt Sue’s fingers trembling slightly in his hand as they stood outside Deanne’s apartment. Despite the fact that she had met his parents on several occasions over the last ten weeks, she was still shy and somewhat uncomfortable around them. Although he knew this was just a normal reaction to becoming a part of a new family, his heart still ached for her, wishing with all his being that he could take away the fear and doubt that still clouded her hazel eyes on occasion.

Of course, when it came to nervousness around new family, he suffered from a bit of that himself when he encountered her parents. He could still remember how his heart pounded in his chest and his knees knocked the entire flight from D.C. to Ohio the weekend he flew out to meet her parents to ask for her hand in marriage. He’d white knuckled the arm of the seat the whole way, the flight attendant thinking he was suffering from acrophobia. While high places weren’t something he was particularly fond of, flying had never really bothered him. And it didn’t on that trip either. It was parentophobia that gripped him that weekend just over nine weeks ago. He knew his heart medication must be working perfectly when he survived that encounter with Edward and Carla Thomas.

They had both been more than gracious, inviting him into their home and making him feel welcome. Carla had fixed an amazingly delicious dinner consisting of a familiar tuna casserole and Oreo cookie dessert. It was clear to see where Sue got her culinary skills. After dinner, they had sat in the living room, talking and laughing about the little girl the woman he loved was and the remarkable lady she grew into. He’d even managed to relax a little until the conversation lagged and the time for his departing flight grew closer. His mind drifted to that moment in time that forever changed his future.

“Mr. Thomas.” His voice trembled as he spoke. Clearing it he began again. “Mr. Thomas. Mrs. Thomas…”

He didn’t remember much of the conversation after that. He just remembered the smothering silence that followed as he stood there, the warmth of the fire from the fireplace at his back and the icy stare of her parents at his front. Okay, so the stare wasn’t icy, but the expressions on their faces were blank until the moment her father smiled and her mother’s eyes filled with happy tears that splashed down her cheeks.

He just stood there, waiting. He’d said his piece. Asked just like his father had always taught him to. But what Samuel Hudson had not taught his son was what to do if Sue’s father was to refuse. His heart sank as the couple on the sofa continued to stare at him. Even the warmth of the fire at his back began to chill. All sorts of scenarios from dropping to his knees and begging to asking Sue to elope and write her parents from Timbuktu entered his mind. The only think that never crossed his mind was letting her go. He’d never do that. No matter what the answer…

“Well, Jack,” Edward Thomas’ voice was filled with emotion as he rose from the sofa and stepped towards him. “I knew this day was coming. And although I’m not keen on losing my little Susie, I can’t think of a better man to lose her to. You have my blessing. And I wish you and my little girl a lifetime of love and happiness.” He glanced back at the woman slowly making her way across the room to them, her eyes shimmering with tears and her cheeks damp from the ones that had already breeched the dam of her lashes. “Just like her mother and I’ve had.”

The elder man extended his hand and Jack took it, finding himself pulled into a warm embrace. “Welcome to the family, son,” his future father-in-law’s words were choked with emotion as they were whispered into his ear. He soon found Carla’s arms encircling them both and for the first time since he got on the plane in D.C., he felt at peace. His own tears of happiness and relief mixed with those of the people who had molded his fiancée into the wonderfully strong, independent, kind, loving woman that he would spend the rest of his life loving and cherishing.

Maybe it’s not Sue’s fingers that are trembling, Jack chuckled to himself as the door opened and Edward Thomas’ blue eyes greeted him with a friendly wink. “Bout time you two got here. I think you’re mother was about to send out a search party, Sue.”

“Daddy!” Sue protested, stepping in to receive a warm hug and kiss. Jack smiled as her hand never left his, gripping it tenderly even as she was enveloped by her father’s embrace. He knew, in that moment, that although her parents would be an important part of their lives, just as his would be, when it came down to it, she had chosen him above all others. Just as surely as he had chosen her. It was their life now. A life they would share with their parents and their friends. A life that was meant just for the two of them. A life that was now completed by the other because they had finally listened to their hearts. What many people might see as a mismatch, he knew with certainty was a match made in Heaven.

More later
Kim

Made in Heaven indeed!!

Lovely post Kim!!

Tere

Kim, you have got to be queen of the sentimental, feel-good posts. That was wonderful - a perfect peek at one of the moments that have us where we are today - anticipating Jack and Sue's surprise wedding.

that was wonderful loved how jack felt while asking sues parents to marry her but at least they said YES now I cant wait for them to suprise there friends with a wedding I hope so more soon please Kim pretty please
Lin

I heartily agree with Flip.

Thanks for reading guys. You guys are the greatest!

“Wow, Mrs. Hudson,” Sue exclaimed as she licked the icing from her fingers. “Jack was right. These cinnamon rolls are the best.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks reddened slightly at the compliment. “Thank you,” she smiled, wishing Sue could be more comfortable when in her presence. She knew this was an adjustment for the girl. Just as it had been for her almost forty years early when she and Sam married. And just as her mother-in-law had done, she was going to do everything she could to make Sue feel wanted and accepted. “I’ll make a deal with you, sweetheart,” she chuckled leaning across the table towards her future daughter-in-law. “Call me Elizabeth or Mom or anything but Mrs. Hudson and I’ll give you the recipe.” She winked as she leaned back in her chair, “After all, it’s a tradition for the mother-in-law to hand the recipe down to her daughter-in-law. It’s a way to keep those Hudson men in line.”

“Thanks Mom,” Sue whispered hesitantly, once again touching the older woman’s heart. She lifted her hazel eyes and gazed across the table to the dark ones that told her their children didn’t stand a chance of having light colored eyes. “I’m sure I’ll need all the help I can keeping this one in line.” She jerked her thumb towards the man sitting beside her, chancing a sly glance in his direction.

“Hey!” Jack protested. He leaned forward, placing his arms on the table as he looked down to his future in-laws. “I’m not the only one who needs to be kept in line. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, any chance you could give me some tips on keeping this one in line,” his eyes drifted back to the woman by his side.

“Well Jack,” Carla chuckled, her heart swelling with pride as she looked at the young couple dressed comfortably in blue warm up suits. “I’ll make the same deal with you your mom made with Sue. Call me Carla or Mom or anything but Mrs. Thomas and you’ve got yourself a deal.”

“Okay Mo…”

“Oh no you don’t,” Sue chuckled, before she leaned forwards and capture his lips with hers, swallowing his words before completely losing herself in the kiss. Parents and friends faded into the background as his arms slid around her waist and hers entwined around his neck. Nothing else existed except the lingering taste of cinnamon and the rising feelings that he fueled in her as she did in him.

Edward Thomas smiled softly at the young couple so wrapped up in one another. If he had any doubts that he had done the right thing by giving Jack his blessing, then they were completely erased when he saw the two of them together. It didn’t take a genius to see the love that flowed between the two. He could see just how much his daughter’s heart was cherished by the dark haired agent. Unlike some of the other men in Sue’s past, this man would never intentionally hurt her. He knew Jack would do everything in his power to keep her safe and secure, offering to enter her world as freely as she entered his. Of course, he couldn’t help but chuckle as memories of the day he had the big, strong FBI agent quaking in his boots slipped into his mind.

“Mr. Thomas.” Jack’s voice trembled as he spoke. Clearing it he began again. “Mr. Thomas. Mrs. Thomas. I was taught by my father that when I found the woman that completed me. Truly and fully completed every incomplete part of me, I should grab hold and never let go. I’ve found that in your daughter. I love Sue with all my heart. I wasn’t sure I believed in soul mates until the day she stormed into my office nearly four years ago. But now, I know I’ve found mine.”

He paused and paced for a moment in front of the roaring fire in the stone fireplace that was the centerpiece of the Thomas family room. Edward watched carefully for any sign of insincerity. He had done the same thing that first Christmas. He had found no sign then and, so far, none now. His eyes continued to bore into the young man as Jack once again began to speak.

“My father also taught me that out of respect for the man who help mold the woman who completed me, I should be ask permission when the time came to propose. Because Sue is such an extraordinary woman and I know that you both had a great deal to do with that, I want to ask both of you at the same time.” He drew in a deep breath and let it out in a loud sigh as he stopped pacing and looked them both square in the eyes. “Sue Thomas completes me. She is my soul mate and I love her more than life itself. I can’t imagine my life without her in it. When I close my eyes and dream of children, they have her smile and her spirit. They have her ability to touch people’s hearts. They have the graceful movements of her hands as they relate and adventure. I want to spend the rest of my life with her and make those dream children a reality.” Again, he drew in a deep breath. “What I’m trying to say is I want to make Sue my wife. And I’m asking you for your permission and blessing.”

He and Carla had already talked about the possibility earlier in the week, after Sue called to say she was not taking the job in New York but staying in D.C. They both had an idea that Jack Hudson was the main reason she stayed. They had both agreed that Jack possessed all of the qualities they had hoped for in the man that their daughter married. He had seen them both together and knew that his daughter cared for the man as deeply as he cared for her. He and Carla both knew the answer would be a resounding “Yes” should Jack ask for permission to marry Sue. Still, he couldn’t resist making the young man sweat. Just like he couldn’t help it now.

He rose from his chair and made his way down the table to where the couple was still locked in each other’s embrace. Tapping Jack on the shoulder, he leaned close and whispered in his future son-in-law’s ear. “There will be none of that until I see a copy of the signed marriage, license, Jack Hudson.” He chuckled as Jack quickly pulled away, his daughter looking confused until she turned and met his smiling face. They not only had on matching warm-up suits, but their cheeks were the same lovely shade of crimson.

More later
Kim

Beautiful Kim!!

I'm speechless

Tere

Two beautiful posts, Kim!! The love just flies off the page!! I can actually see Jack asking for Sue's hand - you've described him perfectly, right down to the nervousness!!!

Joy

that was wonderful loved jacks mum shes so lovely
Im sure her and sue will be great friends then sues mum and dad they will be good friends with him as he respected her family so there familys are great roll models to them cant wait for the next post Kim
Lin

Those words just did me in. Their life now...

Tina

I could just picture Jack asking for their permission and blessing. Reading how Sue's dad made Jack sweat just a little made me smile.

Oh -- this is such a feel good kind of story -- and I'm settling in to enjoy not worrying about any angst -- unless we count poor Myles' suffering!

kav

So sweet
That last post was really lovely
Josy

So happy the two families are blending together... Nice portrait, Kim!!!

“Jack Hudson…”

“Jack. It’s Lucy,” she started the minute she heard the familiar voice on the other end of her cell phone.

“Is unavailable at this time. If you would like to…”

“Arrrgh,” she groaned as she flipped her cell phone shut. She shook her head as she banged it against her forehead. She was really beginning to hate voice mail and that perky female voice that all the wireless services seemed to employ to do their canned recordings. “Where are they?” she groused. She’d tried Sue’s blackberry before she left the apartment, groaning as she heard it vibrating against the top of the table that stood beneath the mirror in the small foyer of their apartment. Now Jack’s was either out of the service area or turned off. Of course his might be vibrating on the countertop at his apartment for all I know, she groused.

“What’s wrong, Luce,” Myles’ voice whispered.

She jumped slightly, not realizing that he had left Charlie’s car and made his way back to her side. He was standing at her elbow, his blue eyes twinkling with something between delight and amusement. She wasn’t sure exactly what it was about the gentle smile and the dancing eyes that made her feel the mixture irritation and fascination that stirred in her spirit. And she didn’t have time to investigate the feeling farther to see which actually won out. She was on a mission to uncover Jack and Sue’s secret. The exasperating man by her side seemed her only way of doing that. Once she knew what her best friend and her team leader were up to, then she’d explore the feelings her lover turned nemesis was stirring to life. Maybe.

“Lucy,” concern beginning to invade his baritone voice at her continued silence. “Lucy what is it?”

“Jack’s voice mail picked up,” she fumed gently. “And I know Sue’s blackberry is back at the apartment.” She groaned as she turned towards the passenger door of the car, staring over the roof at the traffic passing on the street. “Now what am I going to do?” She leaned her arms against the roof line and lowered her head.

“Well you could always…”

“Call Tara!” Lucy interrupted, her head flying up from her folded arms. Myles groaned as she hurriedly flipped open her cell phone and pressed the pre-programmed speed dial number.

Not exactly what I was meaning, he groaned as she raised the phone to her ear. And if Tara picks up, then the day may just be ruined. That was all they needed, Tara and Lucy on the scent of the secret. Of course, Bobby could have already confiscated Tara’s cell phone. But he couldn’t trust Koala Boy to think coherently in the presence of the perky computer whiz. Once again, it was up to him to save the day. Before she had gotten it completely to her ear, he grabbed it from her hand and flipped it closed. “No,” he said firmly.

“No?” Lucy repeated. Her hands immediately went to her hips as her eyes gave him her I can’t believe you just did that glare quickly followed by a barrage of piercing arrow like oh are you going to pay for doing that eye narrowing stares. “Myles Leland, III, did you just take my cell phone from my hand and tell me no?”

He felt his cheeks burning and his stomach knot just like it had when his nanny caught him with his hand in the cookie jar after she’d told him there would be no dessert. He fought the urge to lower his gaze to the snow edged sidewalk in front of him and avoid her piercing brown eyes. But he was a special agent after all. And she wasn’t his nanny or his mother or his grandmother. She was the woman who still held his heart after all these years, even if she didn’t know it. He held her gaze as he deliberately opened her phone, powered it off and dropped it into his coat pocket. “You heard correctly, my dear Ms. Dotson. I did indeed tell you no.”

“Myles,” she vamped, her shoulders squaring and her head beginning to rock side to side as she built up the venom she intended to spray in his direction. “I am not some child that you can punish by taking away a favorite...”

Grabbing her by the shoulders a little more forcefully than he intended, he pulled her to him, stopping the words spewing from her mouth by capturing it with his. He swallowed her gasp of surprise, his own knees becoming a little shaky as she slowly began to respond to the feeling of his lips against hers. As quickly as he captured her lips, he released them, his feet propelling him backwards until he held her at arm’s length. His chest was heaving at heavily as hers was. Licking his lips and still tasting her there, he almost lost his ability to speak. “I said no if something is going on between Jack and Sue, they deserve some privacy without you spying on them every second of the day,” he explained as she gawked at him, eyes wide and mouth gaping. “I said no because Tara deserves to explore her feelings about Koala Boy without having to entertain your ideas on how to track down Jack and Sue.” Releasing one shoulder, his hand trembled as it gently trailed along the soft contour of her cheek. “I said no because you deserve to indulge in your own special Valentine’s Day, Lucy. Since you’ve agreed, somewhat reluctantly, to be my Valentine, I intend on indulging you on this special day.” His hand dropped to his side for a moment before he reached for the handle of the passenger door and opened it. Pushing gently against her shoulder, he guided her towards the opened door. “Now let’s get the day started,” he grinned.

More later
Kim

Now, there's a Myles that even Lucy should find irresistable. Kim, that was so much fun to read!

Good job Myles. And he's right on every single count.

Tina

wow, gees i am just a little behind
from what i have read, it looks great ...

I think I'll love this Myles!!

Tere

I loved it. Our matchmaker Lucy meeting her own match.

Wow, Kim, I honestly lost count of how many posts I was behind after not being able to read for a couple of days. And every one of them was just as exquisite as the last, but the last post of Myles and Lucy was just delightful! I bet that was just a taste of what Myles has in store for his Valentine and I just can't wait for the rest!

Kim, I started to quote some of your post, but had to stop when I realized I was quoting the whole thing!! You have Myles and Lucy down pat!! I can see the angry sparks in Lucy's eyes and the fear in Myles' after he kisses her, thinking he might end up face down in the road!!!

Joy

Well, well, Myles. Seems like you came up with a GREAT solution!

Jill

that was brilliant now Im just hoping and
that lucys meet her match made in heven with myles again but this time for keeps then she can leave jack and sue alone and back off as well as letting tara and bobby alone to work on there feelings now myles take lucy somewhere quite just the pair of you for a few hours cant wait for the next post Kim
Lin

wow , well i'm curious what lucy is going to say...i think she is really shocked... loved it.

Another shivery post that has my knees buckling me into a swoon. Awesome!

kav

Playing catch up... but what a wonderful series of posts to have waiting!

The families are so great... and Jack's proposal was just...

Lucy's frustration is so funny - and Myles... If Lucy doesn't want him - I'll volunteer to take him off her hands for the day...