*deep breath*

Okay, I'm going to do this. I just finished writing the story , now for the hard part: actually posting. I know myself. If I don't post now, I'll lose my nerve and my nails would have been chewed off in vain.

Maybe some positive thinking will work. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.....
Okay, I can't. But I'm going to try anyway....Here goes nothin'.


Song: Let It Rain by Eric Clampton and Bonnie Bramlett



“This is me.” Sue said sheepishly to Jack as he parked his car outside of her apartment building.

“I had a really great time tonight. We should do that more often.”

“Yeah,” she mumbled. “I saw you found a friend tonight.”

“Yeah, Dylan made me read him seven books tonight. Have you ever tried to sign ‘Fox in Socks’ before? The book is hard enough to read aloud, let alone signing it.

Sue chuckled. “That’s a difficult one. I try to stay away from that general area. Dr. Seuss’ tongue twisters can be brutal, especially on your first night.”

He smiled crookedly, setting Sue’s heart aflutter. He fondly gazed on the woman; Sue felt very uncomfortable under his scrutiny, no matter how gentle. She fumbled for the handle to open her door, mumbling a hasty “I should be going.”

He placed a tender hand on her shoulder. “Walk you to your door?” he asked with that lethal smile, leaving Sue unable to resist.

She nodded mutely, annoyed a great deal at her lack of poise. Jack could reduce her to a bumbling mass, incapable of speech or thought, completely useless until removed from his presence.

The pair walked silently toward the lobby doors until Jack remarked, “I really enjoyed tonight, Sue.”

Jack’s eyes were filled with very strong, yet very unidentifiable emotions. His hands shuffled nervously, like a teenager on his first date, but Sue had no clue that Jack wasn’t as collected as his macho bravado implied. Her own feelings of bliss clouded her perception.

“I had a good time, too, Jack.”

“Only ‘good?’” he asked, not satisfied with her answer.

“It was great. I saw a side of you I don’t get to see very often.”

“And what side would that be?” He said demurely.

She glanced at him incredulously. “A gentler side. You were attentive and caring, it was…cute.” She smiled sweetly at the agent who now looked insulted.

“You’ve known me for three years, Sue. You’re just now seeing how cute I am?”

She laughed as she rolled her eyes. “I’d better not say anything else. I’m afraid if your head gets any bigger, your neck won’t be able to hold it up.”

“FUNNY YOU” he signed.

She thanked him cheekily as the two reached the front steps.

“You know, Jack, you don’t always have to walk me back to my building, I can get there just fine by myself.”

“I know, but…” She waited for him to finish, “I feel better knowing your safe, and…I like talking to you.”

Surprise overtook her. “You do? Why?”

“You have so much peace about you. A conversation with you can make me feel a million times better.”

What possessed him to bare his soul like that? Jack had to regain control of his words before he said something that he couldn’t take back, that could change everything.. His mind let out one last thought in protest. “I could listen to the sound of your voice all day.”

A broad smile spread on Sue’s lips. Her voice had once been a source of insecurity. It gave away her disability, caused people to judge her unfairly, made her different at a time when all she wanted to be was like everyone else.

“Thanks, that was really sweet of you to say.”

“It’s true.” His smiled again as his hand, possibly of its own volition, reached for hers and held it in quiet reverence. The world grew still.

The connection between the two generated a surge of hidden passion that radiated through both of their bodies. Neither wanted the ride to end, but both knew their time together was limited.

Jack’s thumb caressed her knuckles, drawing a small smile from her lips.

“Jack, would you care to have dinner with me?” She surprised them both with her request.

“I’d love to.”

THINK you can? I KNOW you can!

And OH MY GOODNESS... someone actually took the initiative and didn't just let the evening end with long suffering looks - you go Sue! And Jack accepted! Things are certainly looking up.

And now, just so you don't feel left out... do you think there's a chance of that rain in your title producing a nice, long, wonderful, fuzzy.... SOAK?? There, consider yourself initiated.

Can't wait for post number two!

Tina

Dinner is always a good start, no matter who asked.

Can't wait to pull up my table next to theirs and casually eavesdrop behind my menu...

Sue... I'm impressed !

Chickenpotpie... You're doing great!

I think you commented somewhere the other day that you were in Texas, so Welcome to the Challenge and Congratulations Paula...from a fellow Texan! You did do it! Don't be nervous...you have started off with a bang and, as Tina said, you have Jack moving at warp turtle speed! Fantastic! Looking forward to your story!
Lynn

This is what a challenge is all about - thinking you can and giving it a try and finding out that you were right!! You definitely can!! Great start!

I love that one of them finally took the initiative - you go girl!

Janet

What a great start!!! Who knew "Fox In Socks" would be the piece of romantic literature that would draw them together . . . I think I have that book around here somewhere . . .

Fantastic start!! You have them running right out of the gate!! Sue, good for you!!!

I can already tell this is going to be a fun ride!!!

Joy

Love the start chickenpotpie

Tender, sweet, funny, and Sue went for it.

I'm looking forward to more.

Hello Chickenpotpie!

Wonderful start It is cute that they can't be without each other, Go Sue! Go Jack!

GO CHICKENPOTPIE!!!

Tere

You definately can!

I loved the little reference to "the Fox in Socks", mostly because it's Dr. Seuss month and I've been helping my sister-in-law with get her videos in order.

Now, Sue asked Jack to dinner! Whoo-hoo!!!

I can think of all of the great opportunities that could arise during this!

Loving it Paula! Now, keep chugging ahead you little engine you!

Thanks so much for all your encouragement! I was so nervous about posting (I don't know if you could tell ) but reading your replies helped me a lot. Sorry, Mione, no menus to hide behind here. Maybe you can creep into Jack's apartment and hide inside a large potted plant, or--since he's a bachelor--behind a pile of dirty laundry.


At Jack’s apartment, two tired yawns escaped the mouths of Jack and Sue. After a meal of assorted leftovers with a side of easy banter, both agent and analyst were more than sated.

“This kinda reminds me of a date I went on a long time ago.

“Oh, really?” Jack said as he spread out on the couch.

“Yeah, it was back in college,” Sue began as she flopped next to him.

“I just started seeing this guy who went to Gallaudet with me. Neither of us had any money to spend on a real date, so we stayed in, had leftovers,” she motioned to the styrofoam trays on Jack’s coffee table, “and rented a movie. At first we just sat really close to each other, but then he pulled a yawn-and-stretch just to put his arm around me.”

“Ah, an old favorite.” Jack said, remembering his old moves from high school. “But, that’s not that bad.”

“It was worse than you think. He had arms like a gorilla.” She said with a look of disgust.

Jack laughed as she continued. “After that, it started to get really weird. He started nuzzling my neck right behind my ear. Before I knew it, he started biting it.”

“He bit your ear?” His face contorted from interest to disbelief.

“He bit my ear.” She repeated for effect.

“What did you do?”

“I didn’t know what to do. I thought I was just imagining it, but then he started tugging.”

“He must have been pretty hungry,” he teased.

She swatted him lightly. “Not funny, Hudson,” she said, still smiling.

“So did you say something to him?”

“I should have, but I didn’t. We—well, I—kept watching the movie until he fell asleep and started drooling…on my hair.”

Jack felt guilt immediately after letting out an uncultured snigger. He couldn’t help it, the look on her face was priceless.

“Well, I promise you, I won’t be dousing you in saliva anytime soon,” he reminded contritely.

“That’s good to know for the future…not that we’ll be dating or anything,” she added as hastily as her blush arose. She cautiously glanced in his eyes only to see…Hurt?

His face fell, and as he cleared his throat awkwardly, Sue suspected for the first time that Jack just might reciprocate her feelings—at least in part. It was a liberating feeling.

He quickly changed the subject to his sister’s upcoming wedding. Sue recognized the defense mechanism as one of her own, further gathering evidence of Jack’s possible attraction to her. She read his lips as attentively as his actions, continuing her investigation of Jack Hudson.

On any other night, Sue would have never noticed that his arm had migrated and now rested casually behind her on the couch nor would she have noticed how ‘lazily’ he sat, ensuring that his knee brushed hers. Realization of that fact made her heart beat wildly and she wondered if Jack could hear her rapid pulse.

A simple touch created intense overwhelming sensations that Sue had never felt before. She did her best to control her erratic breathing. Relief washed over her as he suspended his story, excusing himself to take a phone call.

Sue watched him appreciatively as he sat farther back on the couch, effectively halting the electrical current coursing her veins. She admired his comfortable smile into the phone, when all she could muster was an embarrassed one.

She couldn’t have known that Jack had no choice but to smile. He’d just had dinner with Sue Thomas, and though she denied any chance for a future between them only moments prior, the agent couldn’t suppress the giddy feeling he had.

Sue tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and bit her lip with the shyness of a love struck teenager. All she could do was look aimlessly away in and effort to distract herself from her rapid descent to reality. He was rather happy to take the call from…

“Julia!” he said with an enthusiastic smile. “Yeah…” He laughed. “No, I haven’t…” Laughter again. A few monosyllabic responses later and Sue’s fears were realized.

“…Dinner?...” He seemed surprised that she’d asked. “…What time?...No, that’s perfect. Sunday at 7:00 it is....” He smiled again, but as he glanced back at her, Sue could see that some of the sparkle in his eyes had dimmed, in its place something she couldn’t quite identify.

He glanced at her again, this time, an instant more than necessary. Another fond smile graced his face as he returned to the phone.

He returned. “Okay, I’ll see you then… Love you, too…bye.”

Worry gripped the analyst’s heart. Love you, too. The words rang throughout her head, taunting her, sickening her.

Oh, oh, who is Julia?? Jack seems very happy to be spending time with Sue!! Is Julia a cousin or some other family member???

Joy

I vote for family member or elderly acquaintance . . .

Poor Sue, but don't worry dear, I think Julia is his sister



Tere

I think it's his sister too! There's just something about the way he was acting while on the phone that didn't scream "old girlfriend" to me.


Well.... darn the luck!

I vote for sister Julia -

At least that's what I'm hoping for.

Sue's description of her date was hysterical as well as gross

Saliva in the hair? UUGGHH!
But that story was funny and I'm glad Sue can look back on it and laugh!
I'm on the sister band wagon too! Now, assuming Julia is his sister, by any chance, could that "fond smile" have been because Julia told him he could bring a "friend" to this dinner?

Your doing a marvelous job here Paula...can't wait for more.

Lynn

I think that Julia is his sister... c'mon Sue... He was just talking about the wedding.



Methinks Julia might have told him how excited Allie seems to be at seeing him again... that is... seeing that the sparkle in his eyes dimmed slightly and all...

It would stand to reason that Ms. Allie would be there since they grew up together and she probably knows his sister... right?

Sister!

Sister!

Older married friend of his mom's who was like a second mother when he was growing up!

Anything but an old girlfriend!

And not even a little nip on the ear? Or elsewhere?

Tina

Well wow what a surprise to see this here when I finally grabbed some time to catch up on my reading! I'm that you have taken the plunge. And no more thinking...just knowing...you're doing a great job! At least you are if Julia turns out not to be a romantic interest.

kav

QUOTE

Sue's description of her date was hysterical as well as gross

Funny thing is, that actually happened to me...but it was at the movies. Slightly worse. I still have bad dreams where pieces of my ear are missing. He was a nice guy, though.


This was foreign territory.

Jack was used to being liked. There was point in his life where he almost expected any single woman he encountered to be attracted him—and they usually were. The female race was collectively captivated by him, mesmerized by his good looks and charm. When he met Sue, he pretty much assumed that she was as attracted as he was. Like with any other woman, he anticipated flirting and hinting, not indifference and certainly not mere friendship.

But as time passed, Sue’s friendship became strangely acceptable. She was headstrong, confident and independent. Her high self-esteem was as unshakable as her faith, as pronounced as her beauty. She didn’t need a man to complete her; she was perfect all on her own. Jack would never measure up.

Jack had been so frightened by the thought taking the next step and losing her completely, that he hid his feelings for Sue in a special place in his heart, where no one could find or tamper with it…except maybe Sue herself.

Last night was proof of that. She was cold, detached from him for what seemed like no reason at all. At her apartment doors, he felt elation from love expressed at long last. At his, fear and the sting of her unconscious rejection. How would ever work up the nerve to ask her out?

The buzz of the bullpen forgotten, an entranced Jack now gazed at the woman in the desk across from him. Sue normally was more lighthearted after lunch, especially when active cases where in their final stages, but today she seemed… unhappy. Her usual smile had vanished and in its stead was a downhearted pout. Something was definitely on her mind.

Jack watched as she swiveled to her computer, her fingers poised for a moment to type, only to remove them in unnecessary haste. She breathed a sigh full of distress as her eyes darted around nervously, meeting his for a split second before she turned back to her computer, worrying her bottom lip.

He didn’t want to ask her what was wrong for fear that his voice would fail him. Her beauty was stupefying.

She eventually met his gaze and held it long enough for conversation. Jack managed to sign “You okay?”

She nodded mutely. He’d seen her.

Heat rushed to her cheeks and she ducked a little to hide it. Why did she blush so much around him? What was it about him that made two words like “You okay?” make the butterflies in her stomach take flight?

It’s not something about him, it’s something in you , she reminded herself. She felt childish for having harbored a crush on her training agent for nearly three years. Twelve-year-olds do that, not adults. It was only a few months prior when she realized that she’d fallen in love with Jack, when her world stop orbiting around reality. She found herself fantasizing about a life with Jack in every free moment, dreaming he loved her with as much ardor as she did him.

But that was fantasy. In reality, he felt that way about Julia. He loved her. His face lit up when he talked to her, although he hadn’t mentioned too much about her—probably for fear of the team’s constant ribbing or his mild infatuation with Sue interfering with this forever kind of relationship.

They were going to have dinner on Sunday at 7:00 and from then until he and Julia broke up (if they broke up), she would be secretly envying her…and loving him.

She let out breath she didn’t realize she was holding as Jack planted his rear end on the edge of her desk, very casually placing her picture frame back into position.

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

She was glad he didn’t wait for her reply, because she couldn’t form one. He’s even cuter up close.

“Are you free on Sunday? At about 6:30, 7:00ish?

She gave him and incredulous look. “Don’t you have a date then?”

His curious stare further confused her. “Oh that’s right. With Julia. See, it’s not really a date. We’re planning her escape. She’s getting pretty tired of her husband, and I’m sure she might like me a little. So, after we get rid of him, she and I are going to run away together…Didn’t I tell you about this?” he added in response to her obvious bewilderment.

She blinked repeatedly. He couldn’t possibly be serious.

“Julia is my twin sister, Sue.” He laughed as she breathed her relief.

“That teaches you to jump to conclusions. You should know better than to do that, Investigative Analyst Thomas,” he said as reached over and tapped her nose playfully.

“For the record, I didn’t believe you for one second,” she lied.

He laughed again. “Anyway, I was hoping you could help out a pitiful bachelor I know who may or may not know how to cook any non-microwaveable meals.”

“You want me to cook for you?”

“Not ‘for’ me, ‘with’ me. I could assist you.”

“Somehow I don’t think that a pitiful bachelor like yourself would be of much help around the kitchen.” He smiled his agreement.

“Can you do it?” He expected refusal and prepared himself for shameless begging.

“Sure.”

“Great!” he exclaimed. He started to for his desk, but suddenly turning back to Sue, he added, “And, you’re welcome to join us for dinner.”

“Oh, I don’t know, I really shouldn’t intru—” she suggested shyly.

“You wouldn’t be intruding at all, Sue. In fact, I was actually planning on asking you keep me from being a third wheel. Julia’s wants me to meet her fiancé.”

Sue beamed. Double dating with Jack had been a long time dream of her only partly realized when she and Jack posed as a couple on a date with Randy. A small glimpse of the paradise that was a relationship with Jack was enough to send her hungry for more. So badly did she want to be his. So desperately did she want to just lose herself in his arms, without reason, without apprehension. Even if this ‘double date’ with Jack was as close as she was going to get, she was so much more than happy to have it.

“I guess that would be alright,” she managed.

Now THAT's an understatement if I ever saw one!!!

It WAS his sister!! Yay!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now what will they "cook up?"

That was so funny!! I could imagine Sue's face



I knew it!

Can't wait for more!!

Tere

What a brat!!! How could he tease her like that

Phew!!!!

I think she should have made him beg for doing what he did to her!!!



And does Julia want to meet his?????



I can't wait to see this double date either!!!

Excellent work, Chickenpotpie!!!

- RSL

Grocery bags filled to the brim covered the face of Jack Hudson. A head of lettuce threatened to roll away as the exhausted agent set his load down to fumble through his pocket for his keys. He unlocked his apartment door, picked up the bags and started for the kitchen counter.

He closed the door behind him with his rear end, not caring that the same willful head of lettuce had fallen behind him, along with a box of pasta. He made it to the kitchen, set down what was left in the bags with one hand, and pressed Play on his answering machine with the other.

“You have two new messages,” the automated voice reported. “First message, 6:25PM…”

“Jack… It’s me, Sue. Could you start boiling water for the pasta. I’m going to be late. I’m a little…tied up here. See you soon.”

“Message Two, 6:27PM”

“Jack, you do know how to boil water, don’t you?”



“Lucy! I have to go!” Sue groaned.

The rotor dangled Sue’s keys out of her reach. “Just tell me where you’re going, and I’ll give you your keys. That’s all you have to do.”

“Lucy…” How am I going to get out of this?

“Where are you going?” Lucy asked, this time more sternly.

“Just…,” Sue sighed, “…somewhere.”

“Where?”

“Nowhere.”

“You can’t go ‘nowhere,’ and you can’t keep secrets from me, Sue Thomas. Just tell me where you’re going and I’ll let you go.”

Sue reached over the couch between them in an attempt to swipe her keys, only to have Lucy’s sharp reflexes pull the set of keys even farther out of her reach. Sue nearly fell on the dog sleeping there.

“I’ll just take your car,” she said cleverly as she darted around the couch.

“Oh, no you don’t.” Lucy stepped in front of her, further hindering Sue’s advancement. “Let me guess, you’re going to Jack’s again.”

Caught, Sue sighed and gave into Lucy’s antics. “Yes, I’m going to Jack’s.”

“That’s all I wanted to know,” Lucy said simply, and with equal effortlessness, dropped the keys in Sue’s hand.

Sue stood mouth open, eyes narrowed at her best friend. “What’s going on?”

“Whatever do you mean?” Lucy said sweetly.

“Why did you want to know where I was going?”

“To prove a point.”

“What point?”

“Just…” she sighed, “…a point,” she said teasingly.

“Lucy Dotson, I work for the FBI, I know ways of getting secrets out of people, and I’m not afraid to use them.” She was only half kidding.

“I wanted to prove, my oblivious roommate, that you and Jack have a ‘thing.’”

“A ‘thing?’”

“Are you going keep asking questions, or are you going you listen?”

Sue nodded as Lucy began. “Ever since you and Jack met, you’ve been in a kinda-sorta-maybe-relationship. You’re not actually dating, that’s for sure, but there’s something there.” She smiled exultantly. “For the sake of simplicity, Tara and I call it a ‘thing.’”

“We don’t have a ‘thing,’ Lucy.”

“And that’s where you’re wrong. We’ve all been watching you go on these ‘dates’ for about three years, and taking notes for about three months.”

Lucy walked over to the end table and took a legal notepad out of the drawer. The first pages were flipped almost violently as Lucy combed them for the evidence.

“Here! Two weeks ago, you spent at least one hour outside of work with Jack six times in one week.” Sue’s mouth opened in attempted interruption, but Lucy continued. “Three days ago, according to Tara, you left the office with Jack at exactly 8:26, but came home at 11:00 that night and as I recall with a huge smile on your face.”

“Jack and I went to the Little Bookworm Club that night. That’s hardly date material.”

“It is when two people love each other as much as you two do, anything can be date material.”

“Jack doesn’t love me, Lucy. And I don’t think it’s fair, or even legal, for you and Tara to document everything I do. I’m not a suspect and frankly, my love life isn’t anyone else’s business but mine.” She didn’t want to be angry at her friends but she was.

“Look, we didn’t do this to hurt any feelings, Sue. We just want you to see what everyone else sees. He’s different around you. You may not believe me, but it’s true. You two have something special, something most people dream of. It’s my duty as your best friend to whack you upside the head sometimes when you won’t see what’s right in front of you.”

Sue’s demeanor softened. Lucy did keep her best interests at heart. She only hoped her friend was right.

Paula, you crack me up. She guesses it would be alright. Good thing I wasn't drinking anything or I'd have spewed it all over my monitor. As Regina said, what an understatement!!

And Sue, Lucy's never been 'righter'.

Tina

Lucy is right Sue!!! listen to her!!

Tere

So does that mean that everytime a writer uses the word 'guess' in their story, you're going to snarf your soda?



If he doesn't, he might just be worse off than Sue thinks.

I love how tara and Lucy have begun to document things! It sounds like something they would do!

Oh I didn't even make the connection on the word "GUESS"! I just meant that this IS JACK that she guesses it would be "OK" to have a double date with... and she only guesses it would be alright? As opposed to turning cartwheels in the hallway or happy dancing around the conference room in anticipation... (as would 'moi'. )

Happy Easter, everybody!

The rain is falling through the mist of sorrow that surrounded me.
The sun could never thaw away the the bliss that lays around me.

“You made it,” Jack turned to Sue as she entered the kitchen behind him. “I was beginning to think I would have to serve boiled water for dinner.”

She laughed as she rummaged through the grocery bags for ingredients for her famous fettuccini alfredo. She busily started preparing the meal and Jack watched in awe of her culinary expertise. She poured and stirred, drained and stirred some more with remarkable speed. She didn’t need his help, although she tried repeatedly to involve him in the process. The majority of the time, he leaned against the counter, watching.

He remembered telling her his private dream of living the picket-fenced life in suburbia with a wife, a couple of kids and dog. He hadn’t even told Bobby about that, mainly because he didn’t know he wanted it. It hadn’t been until he went undercover as Sue’s husband did he feel the pull of domestic bliss.

The old Jack Hudson was far from a family man. He was impatient, demanding, and didn’t mind being alone. Relationships with various women were an outlet, a way of coping with the stress of his job. Companionship was hardly necessary. The indestructible Jack Hudson could think himself out of any problem and considered confiding in and relying on others as weakness.

Today, he leaned against a counter watching the love his life at work in his kitchen, cooking a meal for company. He barely resisted the urge to slip his arms around her waist and just hold her. Desire insisted that he be close to her. He needed her.

He helped set the table as she’d asked. The new Jack Hudson was willing to do anything this woman asked simply because she meant so much to him. Simply because I love her, he thought.

A steady pour of rain suddenly stole him away from his reverie as tiny droplets softly struck the window closest to him.

“The rain is so romantic.”

Sue’s gentle voice surprised the agent and he turned his attention to the woman now by his side.

“You think so?”

“Oh, definitely,” she said and signed for his benefit. “It’s the start of something new,” she paused thoughtfully. “Something beautiful.”
.
Her innocent gaze met his and in her eyes he could see forever. Exhilaration coursed his veins as his hand gravitated towards hers. They touched, her breath hitched. This is what he’d been wanting for so long. His head dipped involuntarily lower and lower and Sue’s eyes flew shut in joyful anticipation. She felt his breath tickle her face and she smiled, despite the fear creeping in her soul. He came closer, closer until…

A sharp rapping on the door stole Jack’s attention. The moment was lost.

UUUUUGGGGGHHHH!

Who's ever at the door go away!!! How dare they interrupt!!!!

Very well done, Chickenpotpie. I'm thoroughly enjoying this...

- RSL

UUUUUGGGGGHHHH!

Who's ever at the door go away!!! How dare they interrupt!!!!

Very well done, Chickenpotpie. I'm thoroughly enjoying this...

- RSL

Ka-Thunk.
Me. Hitting the floor. Ow.

Paula, Paula, Paula.

Tina... poor, miserable, disappointed, forlorn, unconsolable, Tina.

Drat the timing of that knock! The moment is only lost for now, right Paula?

Kim

I got all excited and melty when I read this . . . and then MORE excited when I read the next part . . . and then I went

PAULA!!!!!!!!!

P2-22 - Wonderful descriptions of Jack and Sue's repining love for each other. And I brightened up just like Sue when Jack said Julia was his twin. Now, I was sure all along she was his sister, but twin? Why didn't he ever tell Sue about her?

P2-26 - Did Sue just say her love life? And Lucy didn't pick up on that? Oh, Lucy, you're slipping!

P3-31 - I loved this line What a devine lead in...then that blasted interruption!

Like a cold shower! Oops, I said that word, didn't I?
Great story so far Paula! I can't wait to meet Julia and her fiance!

Lynn

JULIAAAA!!! er...sorry PAULAAAAAA!!

Tere

What an enjoyable catchup read I've had!!! I'd promise not to get behind again, but when I say something rash like that I jinx myself! I am sooo relieved that Julia is a sister!!!! (not that I doubted you...exactly). I don't know how Sue managed to concentrate. I'd have burned the pot and mushed the noodles and soured the cream in my Jack induced stupor! And then you gave them that precioius soon to be mind blowing first kiss moment only to cruelly yank it away from them (and us) before it actually happened!

kav

It just seems like Jack and Sue are forever surrounded by people with BAD TIMING!!!! And I just have the feeling that backpedaling is in their future... I just haven't figured out by who yet.

How did they manage to lose such a romantic moment

It's been ages since I have gone on a tirade about interruptions!! At one point, I thought we had outlawed them!! But, I will have to admit, the anticipation is delicious, and you do it so well, Paua!!!

Lucy and Tara, keeping a journal on Jack and Sue!! It does point out to Sue just how much time they are spending together, but I have always felt that if Lucy would give them just a little privacy and not always ask for details, Jack and Sue would get together sooner!!!

Joy

Wow Paula...what a great story!!
It's so funny how Tara and Lucy are documenting Sue and Jack's "dates"!!
Jack's sister?? Pffftttt! I called that relief
Now...who's at the door?? Well I pretty sure I know who but still...she ruined a really good moment!!
Keep up the good work!!
Josy

I apologize for not posting yesterday. Life decided to show up at my doorstep and I've just been ever since. Thanks again for all your repsonses. You've warmed the cockles of my heart, although some of you may argue that I don't have one based on that last post.



“…and so our dad, just to play a trick on Mom,” Julia said lightheartedly, “would switch our baby booties so she couldn’t tell the difference between us.”

“That is, until she changed our diapers,” added Jack. “Boy, was she in for a surprise.”

Laughter filled the room. Sue watched the animated woman seated across from her, as she began a tale of her adventures with her twin partner in crime. There was no denying that she was a Hudson; she was positively gorgeous. Her dark hair and chocolate eyes made her seem warm and inviting, and if Jack’s personality was any indicator, she had a genuinely caring soul.

She looked farther left at Julia’s fiancé. Jack told her before that they played football together; evidence of that was in his muscular build. His sandy blonde hair, almost perfect teeth and light tan probably made him a hit with the ladies, but his most endearing quality was his adoring nature. Sean was besotted with Julia, anyone could tell. He hung on every word she said, though he’d probably heard the story she was telling a hundred times before. The two made for a very cute couple, and Sue hoped one day to have the kind of relationship they had, with…

“…Jack, you were the one who broke Mom’s glass bird, not me.”

“If I remember correctly—and I do—someone wanted to see if she could break the world record by jumping rope ‘twelvety hundred’ times in the living room.”

“Yes, she did, and her brother kept grabbing the rope because he was jealous of his sister’s talent,” she said triumphantly.

“I was not jealous.”

“Was too!” she answered.

“Here we go again,” Sean moaned. “All throughout school, the two of them would bicker constantly.”

Sue chuckled. “You went to school with them?”

“Yeah, we lived down the street from each other. I pretty much grew up at their house,” he said over the verbal battle waging across the table.

She watched the siblings and could easily envision them twenty-odd years ago, maybe with less front teeth, having the same squabble.

“They remind me of my three brothers. They would argue about anything from girls to the weather. That was when it paid to be deaf.”

It was Sean’s turn to laugh. “You know, we non-Hudsons need to stick together. There’s no telling what’ll happen when these two get at it.”

She smiled as she took a sip of her water. He continued, “Although, from what I hear, you won’t be ‘one of us’ for very long.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, Julia tells me that you and Jack are pretty serious.”

If Sean noticed that Sue nearly choked on her drink, he didn’t let on. . Jack, however, noticed almost immediately.

His hands moved from the back of her chair and caressed her back and shoulder in a way that was, at the very least, more than friendly. His eyes showed loving concern as his mouth formed the words, “You okay?”

She blushed automatically and nodded in response. He smiled and kissed her forehead affectionately—albeit a bit nervously—and squeezed her shoulder.

“Aren’t they so cute together?” Julia exclaimed. “I remember last Thanksgiving, Jack just couldn’t stop talking about you, Sue.”

“Yeah, we were all wondering when he would bring this girlfriend of his home,” Sean added.

A tight, forced smile was just about all she could produce as her irritation slowly escalated. How long had this been going on? Who else had lied to without her knowledge?

“I think a glass of wine go great with this meal,” she announced to no one in particular. “Jack, sweetie, could you come with me? I’ve forgotten where the wine glasses are,” she asked saccharinely.

He rose with her, oblivious to her anger until she slipped her arm around his waist, bestowing his side with an excruciating pinch.

Oh no... now she's STEAMED!

Too, too funny Paula. I see puppy dog eyes being aimed at Sue in the very near future. Be still my heart!

Tina

I hope "life" is now under control... slap it around a few times for me too!

Oh, he didn't!

Oh, boy, Jack, run for cover!

wow!, glad that Sue hasn't a gun, because she wouldn't be afraid to use it, poor Jack!!
but maybe this will be fun!

Tere

Poor Jack. He's gonna be black an blue when she gets done pinching him, and if he thought she was cute steamed undercover, he's REALLY going to see some steam now!!

This was great, and the lead-in should make for a very entertaining - and enlightening scene! TRULY looking forward to more!!!!!!

Poor Jack!! I think he's really in for it!! But, is this misconception coming from Jack and his comments, or is everyone jumping to conclusions?? Jack could fix all this by making it real!! Jack, did you hear that???

Joy

Ho...Jack, you better run...fast as a matter of fact
Or...I am with Joy, you can fix things by making it real
Josy