Can I just lock them in a room together? Please???

Tina

Ditto to Regina, please come back

Tere

He may have the courage to find her now...but to actually speak to her? I think you should let Tina lock them in a room, Paula. I take charge of the key so you can have both hands free to type. Deal?

kav

Paula, you really know how to keep us coming back, don't you?? You're teasing again!!!

Jack, get out there, find Sue and tell her what you feel!! Don't kiss her, she'll think you are still pretending - tell her that you love her and THEN kiss her!!!

Joy

I suppose admitting it to themselves is the first step... but it's also the easy step. Now getting them to tell each other might be a bit more difficult.

Just popped to post before I take off for the weekend. I have to be out of town, so I won't be able to post the last little bit until next weekend. Hope this tides you over until then!



Peace. Sue closed her eyes and let the falling rain envelope her, soothe her. One last sob lurched through her but she quickly blocked the sensations that came with it. Nothing would disturb her.

She felt the weight of someone sitting next to her and turned. Jack sat calmly in the same position she just was in, his head slightly back, eyes shut, chest rising and falling slowly.

Jack could barely hear the music of the wedding over the pitter-patter of rain. The words were faint, barely distinguishable, but the meaning transcended its obstacles.

It's in your eyes, you wanna cry
But you're afraid to let go
Sometimes the past comes rushing back
Emotions overflow

He glanced at the woman next to him. Evidence of a good cry was etched into her face as was a look of forlorn. He reached out to her and captured her hand. “The rain is so romantic,” he murmured.

She weakly smiled for the first time since she left his arms.

“Jack,” she breathed, “there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“Me, too… but you can go first,” he said, smiling crookedly.

A deep sigh escaped the hold of her lungs. “I don’t want to pretend anymore.” She gazed into his caring eyes.

You don't have to worry, you know I'll understand
I wanna help you through it, anyway I can
I'm gonna be here for you, take me by my hand
Break through these skies of gray, don't hold back

“These past few weeks, I’ve realized something about myself. About us.” Tears threatened to spill. “I don’t want to be just friends anymore.”

“Every time you kiss me, feelings I didn’t even know existed just overwhelm me. I can’t breathe around you, I can’t think around you, but I have to pretend like everything’s normal, like I didn’t just kiss the man I’ve wanted to have a relationship for longer than I’d ever admit, who I gave up so much for, who could never love me like I love him.”

Sue felt burden lifted from her shoulders. She’d said it. But the pressure on her heart was still there, keeping her from breathing, from thinking. She waited breathlessly for an answer, waited for fulfillment of her wildest dreams....or greatest fear.

Jack finally spoke, making her heart rate soar to impossible heights. “Sue, I’m sorry I hurt you. I really hope you can forgive me, because I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for taking advantage of you. I don’t know why I did it.” Jack sighed heavily, maintaining a small grin.

“Maybe it’s because you’re the most amazing, caring, beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Maybe because you make me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to. Or maybe...it’s because I'm in love you, Sue.” With his words, her despair transformed into disbelief. “I love you more than anyone or anything.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “No other woman can or ever will make me feel like I do right now.”

He leaned in to kiss her cheek softly, reverently, catching a rebel tear. Looking back into her smiling eyes, he couldn’t help but fall in love with her all over again. For as long as God gave him breath, he would personally ensure that her smile never faded.

Let it rain
Let your teardrops wash away the pain
By your side I promise to remain
My love will pour like sunshine through the rain
Let it rain



*Song: Let it Rain, by Jennifer Paige.

No, that was perfect...you got me worry as I was catching up but...thanks to you, I'll do sweet dreams tonight
Josy

That was great! Have a good time and a safe trip! We'll be here waiting for the rest of the story.

Kim

I melted when I read that. She was so brave to tell him how she felt. It was a "let the chips fall where they may" moment, and it worked!! Can't wait for more!!

The whole post was wonderful, but that little bit stuck with me... a rebel tear.

Next weekend? As in the 25th or so? How are we supposed to get by until then? I mean, you're going to leave Jack looking into her eyes all that time? Whoaholdit... that's actually not so bad. I know moi could look into those baby browns non-stop for a week or so...

Hope your absence is for "happy times"!!

Tina

Glad that they are not pretending anymore!

Tere

Too perfect!

At last - they have admitted their feelings to each other!! And, in a most beautiful way too!! Thanks, Paula!!!

Be safe!! Don't worry - we'll be here when you get back!!!

Joy

Definitely perfect. And thank you for letting them talk before you take off for a holiday! We'll be here when you come back!

kav

this is a beautifull story... i was going bananas when jack wasn't telling sue anything...she needed to know...now i'm so happy.

Hmm, I went away and came back and you're not back and and and.... this is so good, I'll be waiting for more.

I love that they finally confessed their love for each other and the song is so perfect. Beautiful.

I was so when I read that. I was so sure that I had told y'all (sorry, my Texan keeps slipping ) you all that I was going to be back by Monday... as in the 21st or so. Oops.

Thanks so much for all the encouragement. This whole story has been a ride, one that I wouldn't have been able to take without all your support.

So... This is it. The end. I don't know what to do with myself anymore after this.



“Just open it,” Jack urged cheerfully. The four foot tall box with its overly festive wrapping paper and hideous bow seemed ominous. “This isn’t a walker, is it?”

Six other FBI employees laughed heartily. No one would have guessed that it was Sue’s thirtieth birthday by the state of the bullpen. Balloons and streamers all wishing the analyst a ‘Happy Sixtieth’ enhanced the décor. Even her cake had an age-progressed picture of Sue on it, surrounded by a seemingly infinite number of candles.

Sue thanked God for such great friends who’d become her second family. She lifted the lid. Inside was a smaller box, with the same wrapping, but a small coupon attached to the ribbon.

“With that,” Lucy said, “you could get 50% off on adhesive strips for the dentures we got you.”

“Very funny, guys.” She smiled gloriously, and opened the second box, finding yet another box inside. This time, a card was attached.

“Don’t let aging get you down…” she read laughingly, “…it’s too hard to get back up.”

Jack beamed. He’d done just about everything in his power to make this gift special. Granted, most of the more detailed touches were the work of Lucy and Tara—Jack couldn’t trust himself with something of this magnitude.

“Open the next box,” Tara insisted. “The suspense is killing me.”

Sue set the third box on her lap and reached in. It was nearly filled with white tissue paper. Sue huffed, making her bangs nearly stand. “By the time I ever get to this present, I’ll actually be sixty!”

She searched through the mounds of white paper. Astonishment was unmistakable on her face as she happened upon a black, velvet covered box that seemed microscopic in comparison to the huge box it came in.

Could this be what I think it is?

She opened it in nervous haste to find a diamond ring, glistening from the soft light of the room. Her jaw dropped slightly as joyful tears brimmed in her eyes.

Jack was down on one knee.

He took her trembling hand in his, and with that contact, all his fears and doubts melted away. This was their destiny.

“Words can’t describe the way I feel about you, Sue. A simple ‘I love you’ will never be enough. Over the past years, you’ve become my friend, my rock, my life, my love. Will you make me the luckiest man on earth and become my wife?”

Sue couldn’t speak. Her wildest dream was coming true. She glanced at the ring in the box enclosed by her hand. It would become the symbol of the love they would share for the rest of their life together.

Our life together. The beauty of the words touched her very soul. She whispered a teary “Yes.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Each person present had witnessed something so much more powerful, so much bigger than any one of them. The marriage of two souls took place in that kiss, before the ceremony ever began.

The heavens opened and rain began to fall gently on the window. Sue watched in awe, then turned to smile at her future husband.

“Something new,” she whispered.

“Something beautiful,” he replied, gazing lovingly into her eyes.

Sue desperately wanted this moment to last forever, but she knew it wouldn’t. Trials, fears and doubts would come, but with God in her back corner and Jack holding her hand, everything would turn out for the best.

Let it rain, she thought. Let it rain.

The End

BRAVO!!

I also have no words to say, only thank you!

Tere

Paula, that was beautiful. I loved the engagement ring hidden with all the gag gifts! What a fun birthday!


I know what you mean about not knowing what to do with yourself . . . I always get slightly depressed when I finish a story, too! Guess that means you'll just have to write ANOTHER ONE REAL SOON!!

Thanks for a great story, and I'll seriously be looking for more from you!

What a cute birthday idea!! And, as usual, Jack is very ingenius with his "gift"!! That was a beautiful way to propose and the rain at the end was perfect!!!

This story is wonderful from beginning to end!! I love every word!!!

Thanks for sharing your incredible talent with us!! Doctor Joy says that the best way to take care of that "let down" feeling is to get right back up and start again!!!

Joy

That was great! Outstanding! Wonderful! Perfect!

Kim

I think I would have died. Very funny ideas for the party.

Love the ring hidden in the big box as well as the beautiful proposal.

Thanks for a great story Paula.

It was absolutely beautiful!!
Awsome story!! Braco!
Josy

And I wholeheartedly agree with the others... another story is the only way to cure those "It's over, now what do I do?" blues!! Come on, talent like this needs, nay, begs for an outlet! And we're all more than happy to be outletted upon. That didn't come out right, but I think you know what I'm getting at...

Tina

Wonderful idea for a proposal/birthday party. Sounds just like something the team would do. And such a beautiful proposal. I'm so happy she said yes!

And I hope you find a cure for your "finished story" blues!

Lindsy

Good job Paula - so glad you joined the challenge!

Perfect proposal, Paula and I loved that the team got to witness it! And you're worried about what to do with yourself now that you've finished writing Let It Rain? I have a sure cure...start another story asap!!!!!! Good for what ails you....and very beneficial for those of us who have become addicted to your writing.

kav

I'm back to finish your story Paula. Away from home for an extended period = very limited reading time on the board. I had to start all over and now I'm caught up to where I left off. I think I beat your away time, Mione! You are too funny! When I was reading this I thought you were going to say chicken....
b/c besides Jack being a they both are **cluck cluck**. But, at least now their friends have got them moving off square one. Reading on.... P9-125 - Oh Jack! Of course its that obvious. P9-130 - Oh, all kinds of fuzzies going off...little ones, with each thought of Jack, enticing me, especially those baby rump picturs. And of course Sue would pass muster with Jack's mom. P10-139 - Oh, yes, that was what I wanted...fireworks going off all around me, utterly
me until Sue pushed Jack away. P10-148 – So much anguish, I was
right along with Sue. P11-156 – Finally, profession of love. I loved that Sue went first. The song fit beautifully. Absolute perfection, Paula.

P12-167 - Nary a dry eye here either, Paula! That was PERFECTION! I loved it. Loved the entire story!

Lynn