Nomination: Ivory has create a very memorable character in Rosemary Blair Thomas, Sue's grandmother. I loved reading about the budding romance between Rosemary and Charlie and getting to tag around with honeymooners, Jack and Sue. This is a feel good read that celebrates the family with an exciting mysterious twist. It's a story about love and faith within the generations of one family.

This is a continuation of the story Rosemary’s Granddaughter. It will stand alone, but a few words of introduction may be helpful. I hope you will enjoy it.

When the prim and proper family matriarch Rosemary Thomas learned that her granddaughter Sue Thomas was romantically involved with a man she works with, hurts from her own past marriage surfaced to fan the flames of fear that she felt for Sue. She resolved to visit her granddaughter in D.C. to get a first-hand look at what was going on. During her visit with Sue, her trepidation began to melt away as she got to know her granddaughter’s beau, Jack Hudson. Rosemary was gradually able to see first-hand the solid character he possessed and to be convinced that Sue’s heart was safe with him. By the time her eventful visit was over, Sue and Jack were engaged. She left D.C. with a rejuvenated spirit, plus an invitation to return and share a condo with Alice Dotson, the grandmother of Sue’s roommate, Lucy. This invitation was made even more compelling because of a certain owner of an auto service station named Charlie Adams.

Rosemary Blair Thomas sat at the dining room table of her Ohio home. She had prepared a light lunch for her brother and her son who had joined her. She looked at the scowl on her brother’s face and sighed. She was correct that he would be the difficult one to convince that she should sell her home, leave the area, and move to D.C. Her brother Warren Blair rose from the dining room chair he was sitting on and began to pace. A lawyer by profession before he retired, he was attempting to bring all of his persuasive skills to bear. “Now, Rosemary, be reasonable. It makes no sense to pull up stakes and move to D.C. I know Sue is there, but, still the idea seems absurd. I can understand if you want to downsize and sell the house, but there are fine places here in the area to live. Take River Walk Estates for example. It’s a lovely area with lots of amenities. You really don’t know this woman whom you want to share a condo with that well.” He shook his head. “I just don’t like the idea of you living so far away. Even though Sue is there, she is married to Jack now. And what if you don’t like the condo or this ...Alice...whom you plan to share it with? ” He threw his hands up in the air. “Rosemary, you are usually much more level-headed than this.”

Rosemary felt the comforting touch of her son Edward as he patted his mother’s hand before addressing his uncle. “Uncle Warren, I can see how mother might want to try something new...to make a change.” Rosemary watched as he looked from her to Warren. “I have spent time with these people she is talking about when Carla and I have visited. If you had been able to come to D.C. for the wedding, I think it would have relieved a lot of your concerns. She will have good people there looking out for her interests.” He looked fondly at his mother. “Besides, I see a sparkle in her eyes when she talks about this that I haven’t seen in a very long time. As for Sue...she may be married now, but she has a wonderful husband in Jack, who seems to have adopted my mother as his own grandmother.”

Rosemary was so grateful for Edward’s support right then that she felt a sudden impulse to hug him, but she reached for her cup of Earl Grey tea instead. She stopped short, however, before picking it up. She looked over at her son. In the past she might have refrained from hugging him, however, this time she allowed herself to give into her feelings. She smiled at his look of pleasant surprise that he couldn’t help in reaction to her hug. “Thank you, Edward.” She then turned to Warren. “I would only be renting. It is not like I plan on purchasing a home, for goodness sakes.”

Her hope rose as she saw a genuine smile cross his face as Warren stopped pacing to face them. “Okay, I know when I have been bested in an argument. I only want for you to be happy, Sis, and if this is truly what you want to do, I will support you.” Maybe if I hadn’t had to miss Sue’s wedding because I came down with kidney stones, I wouldn’t feel so concerned.”

Rosemary detected a softness in her brother’s eyes that she hadn’t seen there before. “You haven’t called me Sis in years.”

“No, I guess I haven’t. It just felt right somehow. I don’t think that until recently you would have wanted me to. I guess I just feel closer to you these days. Ever since you came back from your visit with Sue you seem...different...more approachable.” He looked at her with concern. “I hope I haven’t offended you.”

“Not at all. I feel closer to you as well, Warren. Well, I guess I will not have to look for a lawyer to sell my house after all.”

She watched her brother chuckle as he said, “I will go over to the firm this afternoon to get the process started.”

“Thank you.” Rosemary sat back in her chair feeling relieved. She had hoped to have his support behind her move to D.C., but she was prepared to move with or without it.

“It’s settled then,” her son Edward confirmed as he rose from his seat. She received a kiss on the cheek from him as he passed her on his way to the kitchen with his dishes in hand. “Thank you for lunch, Mom. I have to get back to work.” He looked over his shoulder and smiled at her on his way out the door. “When I tell Carla the news, she will probably be ready to put our house on the market, too.”

Warren soon took his leave as well. It surprised both of them when she hugged him as he left. As Rosemary stood at the front window of her living room watching her brother get into his car, she began to daydream; something she would have scolded herself for doing until recently. She reviewed in her mind the joyous event that occured just one week earlier where her only granddaughter became a new wife. Her heart warmed as she thought of the new friends she had made there.

She walked over to her mahogany desk. There on her desk there lay a letter that she had received earlier in the day. She sat down on the tapestry-covered chair seat and began to read his letter. She had already read the letter earlier, but she desired to read it again. As she read the words, she allowed herself to admit that she would like to get even better acquainted with the author of the letter, a gentleman named Charlie Adams.




As Rosemary read Charlie’s letter again, her eyes kept gravitating to the words that commandeered her attention.

“...I was wondering if you may be interested in stepping out from time to time after you move here. It would be too bad to let the youngsters have all the fun. I would enjoy showing you the city. ...”

She sighed. He has asked to keep company with me! What do I say to that? I do want to get to know him better. There is only one way to do that, but am I ready?

She picked up a pen and began to write a letter back to him. Not only did she have news to tell him about the house, she now had an important question to answer. She knew, of course, that they could call on the phone, and they had, or they could email each other like young people did nowadays, but there was something about a letter that just felt...right.




Several evenings later, Charlie Adams walked into his house and placed his keys on the hall table. It had been a long day at the shop and he was feeling weary. Some people were feeling frustrated at the high gas prices everyone has to deal with. One customer got upset with him because the customer had incorrectly connected a battery charger and ended up ruining both the battery and the alternator. To top it off, his assistant, Troy Myers, was off in the afternoon to attend classes.

He had taken the time on his way in to pick up his mail from the mailbox outside his front door. His grey mustache curved up to frame his broad smile as he sorted through the mail to find that one was addressed from Ohio.

He picked up his letter from Rosemary. After sitting down in his favorite chair, he put on his reading glasses and began to read her letter. He chuckled to see that she had addressed him as Charlie for the first time and not the more formal Charles.


In her letter she wrote, “In answer to your question, I would enjoy the pleasure of your company very much."

Would ya look at that! She has agreed to go out with me.

“I have just placed my house on the market today. My brother tells me that it should sell quickly."

I hope it sells like hotcakes.

“I am excited to be making my plans to move. I find that I am feeling like a school girl. Doesn’t that seem silly for a woman of my age?” .

Not unless I am being silly for feeling like a school boy.

“Have I thanked you properly for serving as my escort to Susan and Jackson's wedding? I enjoyed dancing at the reception. As I told you, it had been a long time since I had done much dancing."

I was just glad that I was able to have her in my arms, and that I managed not to step on her toes.

She had signed the letter, "Affectionately, Rosemary"

He put it down and felt his eyes fill with tears. I think I am beginning to care for this woman very much. He looked at the picture of his beloved Thelma that sat on the fireplace mantle. Thelma would want me to move on. She would tell me I have been alone for far too long.

He didn’t expect that there would be many things as difficult as when he removed his wedding ring from his hand a month after she passed away, however he wasn’t prepared for the feelings that came over him as he walked over to the mantle and took down her picture. He wiped at the tears that filled his eyes as he located the box in his storage closet that contained his photographs. He placed her picture in the box and closed it.

He walked into his bedroom to prepare for bed, but to his surprise he found that he was still holding Rosemary’s letter in his hand. He placed it on his nightstand. It surprised him even more as he got ready for bed to discover that he strangely didn’t feel quite so alone anymore.

Rosemary and Charlie were struggling to close a chapter in their lives. She was trying to close the chapter on a husband who long ago had deserted her and his two young boys. He was trying to say good-bye to a wife that he loved dearly.

Her granddaughter, however, was just beginning a new chapter to a life with her new husband. That new chapter had opened with a two-week honeymoon trip to the mountains.

She had been a little nervous about the intimate part of their marriage. When the time had come for them to become one, she remembered something her mother had told her. “When the man you love takes you into his arms on your wedding night, you will not feel fear. You will desire him as much as he desires you. That is how God meant it to be.” She believed her mother, but it was not until she experienced intimacy with Jack for the first time that she truly understood what her mother was telling her.

Sue watched as Jack put the key in the lock of the apartment door and opened it. As wonderful as their trip was, it felt great to be coming home – home to a new life with Jack. Now they were back in D.C. and it was time to turn to a page as they began their life as a married couple in the real world. It felt to her like a door was being opened to their new life together.

He set the suitcases down on the floor before he turned to her and signed, “Welcome home, Mrs. Hudson.”

"Thank you, Mr. Hudson." She smiled broadly at him. Before she knew it, he had scooped her up in his strong arms and carried her through the doorway into their apartment. He eased her down from his arms, but when her feet felt the floor, she wasn’t sure if her knees would hold her for Jack had her engaged in a fervent kiss. He held her there for moments as they caressed each other.

“Well if it isn’t the newlyweds arriving back from their trip.” Jack startled at the voice which he quickly recognized as belonging to his landlady.

Sue was surprised at the abrupt way that Jack pulled away. When she saw Mrs. Nelson standing there, she immediately began blushing and readjusting her clothes.

“I hope we didn’t make you uncomfortable Mrs. Nelson.” Jack addressed their landlady.

"Oh, mercy sakes, no. Think nothin’ of the sort. It does an old woman’s heart good to see a husband kiss his wife like that.” She winked at Jack. “You just be sure you keep right on kissin’ her like that.

"Yes, ma’am. I plan to do just that." Jack winked and smiled at his blushing bride.

“I wouldn’t have bothered you at all, don’t you know, except I am thinkin’ that you may want to know that Mr Adams was by for your key just as you expected."

“Thank you, Mrs. Nelson.”

“Well, I’d best be on my way. It’s good to see you home.”

Sue asked, “What was that all about?”

Jack only smiled.

Sue helped Jack bring their luggage into the apartment. Jack closed and locked the door. Sue’s sharp eyes immediately focused on some items that lay on the coffee table. “Jack, it looks like the team has been here." She pointed to a vase of roses that sat on the coffee table with a WELCOME BACK HOMEYMOONERS sign placed beside them. She walked over and smelled the deep-red blossoms. It looks like these roses may be from Myles’ bushes. I do believe that this is the Crimson Myles that he developed.

Jack joined her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Then holding his hands in front of her as a reference he signed, "I think you are right."

Sue picked up another card that was on the table and leaned back against Jack with her head on his shoulder. “Look, honey. Here is a card from Lucy and Alice. They have prepared several meals for us and put them in the freezer.”

Jack showed her a CD cover. ”And this note says that Tara and Bobby have already finished the DVD of our wedding for us. I can just imagine, given Tara’s technology expertise and Bobby’s photographic eye, how fantastic it is.”

Sue was about to ask if he would like to watch it when she suddenly squealed as she looked toward the far end of the living room. “My piano! It’s my piano. But I thought we might have to....”

“...sell it. Read the card, sweetheart. It will explain.” He pointed to an envelope sitting on the keyboard that had one of Myles’ roses laying on top it. The card read, “My Darling Sue, I thought up until a few days before our wedding that we might not get permission from the Mrs. Nelson for the piano to be moved here. When we did, I called Charlie and got the name of the movers he used the Christmas he gave it to you. I called the company and made arrangements for it to be moved while we were on our honeymoon. I cherish you and your music, sweetheart. With all my love, Jack.”

Jack shrugged and gave her a lop-sided grin. “When I told Charlie about it, he told me that he just hoped that he will still be invited over for a meatloaf dinner from time to time.”

"Jack, how did you…?"

“I can take credit for the note, I gave it to Charlie when I stopped in to get the oil changed before we left and asked him to bring it by when he checked on the place, but they did all the rest.”

Sue was speechless. She flung herself into his arms, kissing him ardently. He led her over to the piano. “Will you play something for me?” She beamed at him and then sat down on the bench. He sat down beside her and kissed her. When it ended, she turned toward the keyboard. She began playing a song they had used at their wedding called Cherish the Treasure written by Jon Mohr. Sue could feel a bit of the vibrations on the pedal as she played, but the look on Jack’s face was all she needed to see.

When she finished, she turned to find he was gazing at her.

“What?” She asked him softly.

“You are my treasure. I love you, Sue."

"And I love you."

The night was still young, just like their love.




Jack was about kiss her when Levi started getting restless, letting them know that he needed to go outside. “We haven’t spent a lot of time playing with you recently, have we buddy? Thanks for being patient with us.” Levi gave a soft bark which caused Jack to laugh.

Jack put his arm around Sue’s waist. “Shall we walk Levi together?”

“Sounds like a plan,” she agreed.

Soon they were walking arm in arm in the park. The night was soft and warm. Sue leaned down and released Levi from his leash to allow him to get his exercise. As she raised back up, his eyes met hers. They did not often kiss in public, because they didn’t want to put on a show, but tonight they seemed to be far enough away from any others who were also using the park. Jack took her hand and led her into the shadow of a spreading oak tree. He took her in his arms and pulled her close. They signed “I love you” to each other before they gently began what was intended to be a gentle kiss. Jack was thrilled at her response. The kiss intensified and deepened. So did Jack’s body’s response to her. When they parted, his darkened eyes looked deep into hers, and a light flush appeared on his face. “Sweetheart, I think we should...head back home.”

Returning to the apartment, the first order of business was to provide Levi with his chow and water. Once Levi was settled, they were able to turn their attention back to each other. Jack took her by the hand and led her through the apartment to the master bedroom. Jack’s bed, complete with its mission-style, oak headboard that had been passed down to him by his grandmother, came into view. Tonight it would become their bed.

Deciding to wait to unpack, they tenderly helped each other to disrobe. Jack felt the tears come as he was once again awed by his wife’s lovliness. “You are so beautiful, my love, so very beautiful. You take my breath away.” He pulled her close.

“And you are the most incredible man in the world. I am so blessed to have your love. I love you.”

"You know, honey, now that we're married I've been thinking and praying about what you said to Carol when she was recovering from that beating that her husband gave her. "God tells men to love their wives as Christ loved the church.' "

"And I have been thinking and praying lately about the wise woman who is mentioned in Proverbs. It says that her husband's heart safely trusts in her. I pray that you will always find that my touch gives you pleasure, and that my words support and encourage you."

Jack was about to ease them onto the bed when he suddenly stopped short. He pulled at the bedding, succeeding in yanking it down to the foot of the bed. Sue gave him a puzzled look.

“I wouldn’t put it past Crash to sabotage us,” he grinned. “Well, well, will wonders never cease? He didn’t even short sheet the linen.” Jack pushed on the fame. “The bed feels solid.” He made a leap and landed in the middle of the bed. “I think we are safe.”

Sue’s laugh was like music to his ears. He patted the place next to him on the mattress. He opened his arms to her as she eased down to join him. Desire for each other quickly had them wrapped in each other’s arms. When they were both ready, Jack came and touched her heart in the way that only he could. They experienced tears of joy, waves of pleasure, and euphoric release as they each sought to express their love to the other.

They had been lying there for a time, basking in the afterglow of their intimacy, when Jack stirred. He reached down and pulled up on the edge of the quilt that rested on the foot of the bed that Rosemary and her quilting circle had quilted it for them as a wedding gift. It was a colorful, traditional pattern that Sue had told him was called wedding ring. Jack pulled it over them before he wrapped her in his arms. Soon they were both asleep, cocooned in each other’s arms.

Monday morning came, as they are want to do. Charlie arrived at his shop at 7:30 to open it for the day. There was a new spring in his step as he turned on the lights. In short order, the service bell rang calling him out to greet his first customer. The customer was Jerry Wickham, a long time customer and friend. The men greeted each other.

“Hey Charlie”

“Jerry, how are things?”

“Can’t complain.”

The men soon got down to talking about cars.

"I’m looking to sell my car, Charlie. Do you know of anyone who may be interested?”

Charlie’s eyes began to twinkle with the birth of an idea. “Fact is, I might be interested myself. I have a friend moving here in a few weeks. She will need a car to get around. This one has light mileage, it’s in good shape for a 2001, and has had excellent mechanical care if I do say so myself. I think she may really take a shine to your little white Camry here. Why don’t I give her a call and see what she thinks. What might you be asking?”

“I’m thinking around nine-five.”

Charlie nodded. “Let me call her today. When you stop by to pick it up tomorrow, maybe we can talk shop.”

"Sounds good." Wickman smiled. "Is she a special friend, Charlie, if you don’t mind my asking?"

Charlie adjusted his cap. “Yes sir, she is”

“Glad to hear it.” A car horn sounded. “Oh, there’s my wife. She’s giving me a lift to work.” The men shook hands.

Charlie took the keys that Wickham gave him and drove the car onto the lift. He enjoyed working on cars, but he was especially looking forward to working on this one. He had a feeling as he turned on the hydraulics that he was going to like giving those break pads, tires, filters and fluids his special attention. Yep, this would make a good car for Rosemary.

*****

Monday morning for Jack and Sue meant that they were to report to work for the first time since their wedding.

They were having an interesting time learning how to interact with each other's morning routine while preparing for work, especially in the bathroom. Jack shaved while Sue dried her hair. Jack brushed his teeth while Sue put on her makeup.

“I’m glad you don’t use hairspray, Sue. I remember my sister and I fighting for dibs on who would get the bathroom each morning, and she would always threaten me with her bottle of the stuff."

"My brothers used to threaten me with their shaving cream, once they started shaving."

Jack placed a tiny dot of shaving cream on the tip of her nose. “Oh, you mean like this?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I may not use hairspray, Jack, but I do use mousse.” She took a dab of the mousse she was using and rubbed a little in his hair.

The bathroom radiated with the sounds of male and female laughter.

"Truce?" she asked.

"Truce on one condition." He wiped her nose with a washcloth. "We seal it with a kiss."

"Okay, but don’t get me too distracted, or we will never get to work on time."

They did get distracted, but in spite of it Sue, Jack, and Levi managed to get to work on time...barely. Their first stop was at personnel so that all of their employment records could be officially changed to reflect their new marital status.

“That felt so nice to officially sign my name as Susan Marie Hudson for the first time,” she remarked to Jack as they headed for the elevator bay.

“And I enjoyed watching those graceful hands of yours sign it.”

As they approached the elevator, the building directory on the wall caught her attention. She rubbed her hand over the wording that listed the location of Special Operations. Her mood grew pensive.

“What is it, Sue? What are you thinking?”.

“This directory may be accurate now, but that day when it hadn’t been updated...the day that I met you...that is when it was really correct.” She was thankful for an empty elevator that allowed her to share a kiss with him as they made their way to the bull pen.

“I sure hope these elevators do not have cameras.”

He winked at her. “Nah, the walls may have ears, but the elevators are completely safe, at least safe from everything except a husband who very much enjoys kissing his wife.”

“Oh, I’ll take that kind of danger anytime, Agent Hudson.”

The elevator doors opened. The newly married Hudsons walked down the hall and entered the bull pen.

The entire bull pen, including all the other guys who worked there on the other teams, erupted into cheers as Jack and Sue entered the bullpen.

After all of the hugs and back claps had been given, and all of the expressions of “welcome back” had been acknowledged, Jack helped her off with her coat. Her skin tingled where his fingers brushed against her arms and shoulders. He hung her coat and his jacket together on the wall hooks behind his desk before rejoining the group of well-wishers.

Jack took Sue’s hand in his. “Guys, thank you all so much. Sue and I can’t begin to tell you how much we appreciate all you have done for us. To use the current expression, you guys rock. That was a great welcome home you had waiting for us."

The team had placed a sheet cake next to Big Bertha II, the coffeemaker extraordinaire. Everyone gathered as Sue and Jack were asked were asked if they would do the honors of cutting the cake.

“This cake is decorated beautifully. I hate to cut it,” Sue said as she and Jack held the knife together. Looking at Demetrius, she asked, “D., did Donna make this?”

D. signed yes. “You all know that she has been taking that cake decorating class.” He patted his stomach. “I have had to pay for sampling her homework with extra time at the gym and a lot of games of one-on-one basketball with Davey.” Everyone laughed.

Jack held up his folk which contained his next bite. His appraisal was to the point. “Mmm. Great cake. Nice and moist. Definitely worth it.”

“D., please be sure to thank Donna for us, will you? As you can tell, Jack is certainly enjoying it,” Sue added.

Levi gave a soft whine. “Sorry buddy, this is chocolate. How about a donut?. No chocolate to worry about there,” Jack offered. He tossed Levi a donut that was left over from the last donut run. Levi responded with a soft bark which had the team members chuckling.

“Jack and Sue may have gotten married, but it seems that some things do stay the same,” Lucy noted.

She rolled her eyes, but her smile followed. “Not to mention the fact that he really shouldn’t be having cake or even donuts in the first place.”

“Not to worry, Sue, we’ll be sure to run off those treats, right boy.” Jack rumpled Levi’s fur and gave Sue a wink.

Sue gave her husband’s chiseled stomach a couple of pats. “I’ll be watching to see that you do, Hudson. You, too, Levi.” Then she signed for his eye only, “With pleasure.” She suspected from the look she saw in his eyes that had they not been at work she would probably have a very amorous Jack on her hands. She sashayed past him to go to her desk. She could just imagine what she would find in her in- basket after being away for two weeks.

Later in the morning Sue was in the middle of working on a transcription when her desk lamp flashed, alerting her to a call. She pressed the switch to activate the text. “It’s my grandmother calling,” she announced. “I hope everything is okay.” Her grandmother would not have called her at work unless it was important.

She no sooner spoke the words than Jack was by her side. To her relief, Rosemary apologized for calling her at work before informing her that she had good news that just wouldn’t keep. Her grandmother proceeded to tell her that her house just sold. The closing would be in one week. She informed Sue that she was going to call Alice Dotson next to let her know. The word quickly spread to the team.

Lucy Dotson was over to Sue’s desk in a flash. “Oh Sue,” she gushed, “It will be great fun having our grandmothers living together.” She gave Sue a big hug.

Myles entered the bull pen at that moment having been out of the office meeting with an informant. When he entered the bull pen to take in the scene, he wondered what was going on. “What did I miss?”

“Sue’s grandmother just called to tell her that she had accepted an offer on her house,” Bobby said. “It sold in just two weeks.”

“I am going to have to stop going out for those tuna sandwiches,” Myles joked. "It seems that whenever I do, something monumental seems to occur.” He walked over to his desk and sat on the edge. “So, your grandmother has sold her house then, Sue. That is indeed fortuitous news.”

“That’s right Myles. She just called to tell me. It was only on the market for one week. Even my Uncle Warren, a real estate lawyer, was surprised at how quickly it sold.”

Bobby waved to get Sue’s attention. “When is she coming to D.C.?”

“Next week.”

“This looks like a job for the Aardvark Moving Company.” Myles said. “We helped Tara move in with Lucy last week, so we are officially have two moves to our credit.” He eyed Jack. “This time we will have an additional member of the crew available to help who will not be on his honeymoon.”

“Volunteering me for grunt work are we, Myles?” He chuckled. “I wouldn’t miss it.” He put his arm around Sue’s waist and drew her to his side. “By the way, just for the record, the honeymoon is definitely not over.” Sue felt the warmth on her skin as she blushed prettily at his remark.

Bobby smiled and winked at his best mate and his new wife before addressing Myles. “And this time, one member of the crew won’t be nursing a bum leg that he got stepping off a curb in Pamplona.”

Myles glared at him. “You aren’t going to let me live that one down are you, koala boy.”

“It’s not likely, mate.”

The team chuckled as they remembered the bravado that accompanied Myles’ return from that vacation experience until Bobby set the record straight that Myles was not hurt running from the bulls, but tore a tendon in his leg by simply taking a wrong step off a curb.

Tara suddenly clapped her hands in excitement, the movement catching Sue’s attention. “I think that this calls for a celebration. I think we need to plan a welcome to D.C. party for your grandmother, Sue.”

Lucy followed up on Tara’s suggestion for a welcome party for Rosemary by suggesting an impromptu planning session at her and Tara’s place that very evening. “I’ll call my grandmother...and Sue...why don’t you call Charlie and see if he’s free tonight?”


Sue was touched by the enthusiasm shown by her friends. She thanked God once again for giving her such a wonderful work family, and for blessing her with Jack’s love.

*********


The corrections officer sighed as he looked at the man in front of him. He hoped that the inmate they were releasing would be one of the successful ones, but he felt dubious about this one’s chances. Well, he had his instructions. He addressed the inmate. “Okay, you’ve had your exit interview with the warden. All you have to do is sign this and you have been processed out.”

The man took the pen he was offered and signed the document without comment.

“You are provided one taxi ride either to the airport or the bus terminal. The man stamped a voucher and handed it to the prisoner he was releasing. I hope you use your new freedom wisely. You’re free to go.” He gestured to the exit.

The metal door closed behind the former inmate with a clang. The man sneered. I will d--- well use my freedom wisely, but first I have a score to settle. A half-hour later the man stood at a Greyhound ticket counter. The ticket agent looked at the man. “Where are you traveling?”

"I want a one way ticket to D.C."

The agent processed the ticket. “That will be 27 dollars.” He checked the clock. “The bus boards in twenty minutes.”

Sue knocked on the door of her old apartment. She smiled up at her husband. “It seems kind of funny to be knocking on my old front door, but since I don’t live here anymore it seems like the thing to do even though they did ask me to keep a key."

Jack put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his side. “I for one am glad that you don’t live here.”

“Me, too. Um, Jack?” she purred.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“We don’t have to stay too long, you know.”

He tapped the top of her head with his finger. “I like the way you think, Mrs, Hudson. I’ll be counting the minutes until we can leave.” He was so glad that she seemed to look forward to their lovemaking as much as he did. He suspected before they were married that his wife would be a very passionate lover. He was thrilled to learn that his suspicion was correct.

The door opened and Tara greeted them. “Come on in guys. Everyone is here except D and Donna.”

As soon as the Gans arrived, which was right after Jack and Sue, everyone gathered in the living room so they could get down to two very important matters of business. The first was to plan the welcome party for Rosemary. The second was to put away the pizza that they had ordered.

“Where shall we have the party?” Tara asked.

Charlie spoke up. “Why don’t we have it at my place? There’d be plenty of room.” They all thought that Charlie’s little two story craftsman would be a great place.

“You provide the place Charlie and we’ll do the rest.” Tara affirmed.

After the plans were quickly made the guys had Jack corralled in the living room discussing the latest hockey and basketball scores, so Lucy and Tara decided it would be a good time for some girl talk with Sue.

"You are absolutely glowing girl. Isn’t she Tara?"

Tara grinned at Sue. “She sure is.”

“It looks like marriage is agreeing with you. So, is Jack being the Prince Charming that you expected.”

“Prince Charming has nothing on Jack. I love him so much it almost hurts.”

“I am so happy for you, Sue.” Lucy gave her a hug.

Sue looked around the apartment. “I love what you and Tara have done to decorate the place.”

“Thanks.” Tara gestured to the colorful abstract painting that hung on the wall. “Lucy and I knew we would pull it together when I told her how much I have always liked that picture.” The three women laughed.

Lucy changed the subject. “I think it’s great that the guys are going to help your grandmother move, Sue.” Lucy sighed. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if when your grandmother moved down here for something to happen between her and Charlie

Alice and Donna came over and joined the conversation. “Lucy Dotson, I declare you are one incurable romantic. Are you up to your matchmaking ways again?

Lucy blushed. “No, not really. I am just thinking that it would be nice.”

“I am always grateful for your big heart, sugar. I will always be thankful for the six months that Oscar and I had before he passed, and that you and Sue arranged for us to meet."

“I was so afraid at the time that it was going to blow up in my face,” Lucy admitted.

"That’s why my advice is to let Charlie and Rosemary find their own way to each other. They just might not need any help to get together." Alice turned to Sue with a broad smile. “Well then...now tell me Sue, is married life all that you expected it to be?” Alice asked.

"I can say that it’s even better than I expected. Being married to Jack is wonderful.”

Alice took Sue’s hand and led her into the living room and straight to Jack. “Did you hear that Jack? Your wife just said that being married to you is wonderful.”

“Aw, thanks, honey.” He pulled her down on his lap and gave her a kiss.

“Did you have to bribe her to say that, Sparky?” Bobby wanted to know.

“No, he did not,” Sue said, almost sharply. Then she blushed. She was surprised once again at how it had become almost instinctive to want to stand up for Jack, even if it was just from what was playful bantering between friends. "Sorry," she signed.

Bobby smiled at her and winked. “Good on ya, Sue. A man likes for his woman to stand by 'em. She’s a keeper, Jack.”

“Don’t I know it,” was Jack’s hearty response.

When Jack signed to Sue that they were going to start playing some games, they knew their chance had come for that quick get away.

*****

It was just about that time that a Greyhound bus pulled into Union Station.




Rosemary closed the lid on the last box and put on the strapping tape. She had never expected that selling the house and packing would be such hard work. She didn’t really mind. She had no doubts or regrets about what she was doing. The excitement and anticipation she was feeling lightened the work. The hardest job was deciding what to sell and what to donate. She was grateful for the help that had come her way. Some people in her church group had even devoted a whole Saturday to help her. Most of all, she was thankful for the gold and sliver haired man with the kind heart who entered the room.

“Is that the last of the boxes, Mother?”

“I believe so. Are you certain that you have everything from the house that you think that you and Carla would like?”

He smiled at her. "I'm sure. The movers should be here in about a half an hour. We could go now if you like. John will be here to make sure that the movers are doing things right. There really isn't all that much since you have either sold, donated or given away most of it." He handed her her purse that was setting on the first step. "I am going to enjoy having you stay with me until your plane leaves on Thursday."

"Give me a moment to take one last look around and I'll be ready." She wiped at a tear that had formed. Edward nodded and turned as if to leave the room. “No, no. I didn’t mean I want to be alone.” She reached out a hand to him. He took it and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I really like the couple who have bought the house. I think they will take good care of it." Rosemary sighed as she canvassed the room with her eyes. "I have a lot of memories of this house, some are hard, but many are good." She walked over the banister and placed her hand on it. "I can picture two little boys sliding down this banister and landing on the floor with a thud. I can see you putting out a plate of cookies on that hearth over there for Santa each year. We used to put the Christmas tree up right in that corner, remember? You used to like to curl up in the chair that sat in that corner and read." Rosemary's face fell. "I was standing in the hallway there when you father told me he was leaving us. Ten years later I stood in that very hallway as two Air force officers told me that your brother had been killed in Vietnam."

"You haven’t talked about Uncle Paul in a long time."

"No, I guess I haven’t. I thought my life had come to an end that day." She took a shaky breath. "I don’t think it was until I went down to visit with Susan and saw the love and trust that she and Jackson have for each other, that I really started to see how empty my life has been. I have been like a prickly pear, Edward...afraid to trust or to love. I have even kept you and Carla at a proper distance. You have been trying to reach out to me, but I wouldn’t let you.” Rosemary broke into sobs. “I don’t want to live like that anymore.”

Edward took his mother in his arms and held her. “It’s okay, Mom. It’s all right. Cry if you need to. I’m here. I love you.”

*******

Jack entered the living room of their apartment to find that Sue was just finishing a phone call. “That was my mom,” she informed him in response to his questioning look. They had left the party promptly in an effort to be alone. He admitted to himself that he was glad that his wife's phone conversation had been a short one.

“How is she?” He came to the couch and sat beside her.

"She’s good. She just had a quick question to ask me about a birthday present for my brother. She also said that she was over earlier this morning helping my grandmother finish packing some dishes.” Sue smiled at him. “You know, they really seem to be getting along so well these days. They were civil to each other before, but they seem to really be building a closer relationship."

Jack took her hands in his. “I’d say that the same thing could be said for her beautiful granddaughter. It seems like you and Carla have been getting so much closer, too. I remember the first Christmas she came to visit the difficult time the two of you were having with your relationship."

"Yeah. I remember that I asked you if you thought it was wrong for me to want her to accept me for who I am. You said you didn’t think so as long as I was willing to do the same for her. That was great advice, honey.”

“I am glad that you and your mom have become so close. I have one terrific mother-in-law.”

“And I have one amazing husband whom I very much want to kiss right now.”

“I’m here. I love you. Kiss me, sweetheart.” He eased down on the couch and pulled her over him, enjoying the feel of her weight on his chest. He encouraged her to take the lead as their lovers’ kiss blossomed into passion as there on the couch they gave themselves to each other once again.

Charlie has been waiting for has arrived. Rosemary arrives in D. C. [/color]

Sue awoke as the rays of the morning sun filtered into their bedroom. She smiled at she felt the warmth of her husband snuggled up to her. He had her head nestled on his chest and his arms encircled her. She smiled as she recounted the activities of last night that had begun on the couch and later were resumed in their bedroom. She tried to lie still so as not to disturb him, but soon his eyes slowly opened. What she saw in those brown eyes as he focused on her took her breath away. He slowly and thoroughly kissed her good morning. They were enjoying waking up together when another pair of brown eyes looked at them with some urgency.

Jack chuckled. “Well, I think Levi and I need to go for a run. Why don’t you relax here and I’ll be right back. Then we’ll have to get ready to go pick up Rosemary at the airport.” He pulled on his running pants and sweatshirt. Sue smiled at his retreating form as he whistled for Levi and jogged out of the bedroom.

She took the moment to pick up her Bible she had on her bed stand. What she read from the love story in the Song of Solomon melted her heart. It spoke to her of the union of heart, mind, and body that she and Jack were experiencing in their marriage. She knew that this book was a beautiful story of marital love. She hadn’t read it since she had married, but it brought tears to her eyes as she read:
When Jack returned they had a quick breakfast of cereal before they headed out for the airport.

They has asked Charlie if he would like to ride along with them to the airport. Neither one of them was surprised when he enthusiastically agreed. When they pulled into Charlie’s garage to pick him up, Troy Myers was out front just finishing waiting on a customer when he saw Sue and Jack drive up. He walked over to the car to meet them. “Good to see you,” he signed.

"You, too." Sue signed back. Are your classes going well?"

"Yeah, they are. I can't believe this is my last semester." Troy clapped Jack on the shoulder. "How is this fellow here treating you? "

“He is treating me like a princess.”

"Good. He'd better." He gestured back toward the garage. "It's a good think you are here to pick up Charlie. He probably wouldn’t say so, but I can tell he is excited."

Charlie saw them and came out to the car. "Hey, you two. Glad you finally made it."

"Hey, Charlie," Jack called out. "Hop in and we'll be on our way." Jack turned to Sue with a grin and a wink as he signed what was just said. With that they were on their way to Reagan International.


Rosemary walked down the concourse following the signs that would direct her to the baggage claim area. It was teaming with people locating their luggage and rendezvousing with family and friends. Flying has changed so much, she mused. I remember not so long ago when everyone could come right up to the gate of an arriving or departing flight to meet passengers. Things are sure different now. It was then that she saw them, Charlie, Jack and Sue waiting for her in the crowd of people gathered around the carousel where she would collect her suitcase.




It was as if time stood still for Charlie as he saw her standing there in front of him. He felt his heart constrict as a feeling that almost make him sigh enveloped him with warmth. He hadn’t had that feeling for a long time. He suddenly didn’t know quite what to do. He wanted to hug her, but would she want him to hug her? He didn’t want to be too forward. What if he let her know how he felt and she didn’t feel the same? It was then that his heart took the lead. He stepped into her personal space. He was delighted when instead of retreating; she took a step toward him. His arms reached out to her and she entered them. As he hugged her, he felt like he was awakening from a long slumber, a five year slumber. Like the younger man who was now married to Rosemary’s granddaughter, Charlie was a man who loved deeply. When he loved a woman it was with everything in him. Six months ago he never would have believed that he would ever be able to love again. Now as he stood here in the airport baggage claim holding her in her arms to welcome her, he began to believe that there was every possibility that he was falling in love with her.

She felt a little awkward at their physical closeness for a moment, but it was fleeting. As they hugged, Rosemary relaxed. For the first time since her heartless ex-husband threw her aside like yesterday’s trash, she was letting her heart open up to the affections of a man.

To the casual observer their embrace may have seemed to be brief, but for Rosemary and Charlie it was full of promise. As Charlie pulled away, she felt a tickle from his moustache as he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Sue felt her eyes tear as she saw them greet each other. She reached over and clasped Jack’s hand in hers. She would remark to him later that watching Rosemary was almost like watching a flower begin to unfold and open to the warmth of the sun.

For his part, Jack chose to watch his wife rather than the little drama unfolding in front of him. He was enjoying watching the expressions on her face as she observed her grandmother and Charlie together. He was head-over-heels in love with Rosemary’s granddaughter and he was content to keep his focus right where it was, on his lovely wife.

“Hello Charlie,” Rosemary said.
.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he told her. “Did you have a good flight?"

“Yes, that book you sent me helped to pass the time.”

Suddenly she remembered Sue and Jack. “Hello, children.” She smiled at them. “I must say that you both look like you are finding married life much to your liking.”

"Very much so," Sue informed her. She and Jack pulled Rosemary into a three-way hug.

Rosemary tapped Sue on the shoulder to get her attention. ""Thank you all for picking me up."

"You're welcome." Jack turned to look at the suitcases appearing on the carousel. "Well, shall we get your suitcase and head to the car," Jack suggested. "Lucy told us that they had this thing that they had to do but that she and Alice will meet us there in a couple of hours.”

Charlie offered Rosemary his arm. She smiled and placed her arm in his. He used his other arm to pull her suitcase along behind them.




As Sue, Jack, Rosemary and Charlie made their way by car to the condo, they talked about the plans to get Rosemary settled in her new home.

“So we are planning on meeting the moving van tomorrow at 10:00.” Jack confirmed. “Bobby, Myles and D are going to swing by and help us unload.”

Rosemary tapped Sue’s shoulder so she had her attention. ‘Thank you Jackson, um, Jack,” He prefers Jack. “You are all…what is the phrase they use these days… awesome, or is it, you guys rock?” They laughed. “I hope you will find that I do not have a tedious amount to unload. Most of the van is being used by a family who is also moving into the area. The heaviest thing is probably the dresser that I have for my bedroom.”

“If you are like my Sue, who I find doesn’t collect a lot of extra stuff, it will probably take us no time at all.”

Sue laughed. “I’m not so sure it was all that easy. You did have to make special arrangements for my piano.”

“Hey, that’s right. I take that back. It wasn’t so easy to move her things after all,” he quipped.

Sue turned toward the back seat to wink at Charlie and Rosemary. “I haven’t had the heart yet to tell him yet about that storage unit I have rented.”

“Oh, ho. Holding out on me, are you?”

Sue giggled. “No, just sharing information on a need to know basis.”

“Maybe I will have to use my investigative techniques more often if that’s the case.”

“Oh, I am immune to those.”

“You don’t say.”

Charlie and Rosemary smiled as the young couple sitting in the front seat teased each other. She turned to Charlie and smiled at him fondly. “That piano came from you, didn’t it, Charlie?”

Charlie nodded. “It was Thelma’s. When I learned that Sue played, it made sense that it belonged with someone who would be able to play it.”

“I can see that you are a very thoughtful man, Charlie Adams.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

It was Sue and Jack’s turn to smile at the conversation coming from the seat behind them.

“Here we are,” Jack announced as he pulled the car up to the curb.

“It looks like Lucy and Alice are not here yet. I don’t see Lucy’s car.”

The men opened the doors for the ladies.

"They have certainly put in some lovely flowers," Rosemary remarked as they walked to the front door.

Jack was about to put the key into the lock when Levi started to fuss. That sent Jack into agent mode.

“Something doesn’t feel right.” Jack walked over to the living room window. He tensed as through the sheer drapes he saw the silhouette of a man. “It looks like you have an uninvited male guest. He seems to be sitting alone in the living room.” He turned to Charlie. “Let’s get the ladies back out to the car while we get this figured out.”

Just as they reached the car Lucy and Alice arrived. Alice couldn't wait any longer to see Rosemary so they had finished their "thing" early. Dispensing with the usual greeting, Jack asked, “Are you ladies expecting company? A man is in your living room, Alice.”

“Goodness, me. No, I’m not expecting company this afternoon,” Alice confirmed.

Jack asked the next thing that came to mind. “Would your management have given anyone access.”

“No, not unless they called me first.”

Jack flipped open his cell. “Let’s check with the condo office.” He called the number Lucy and Alice gave him. He closed the phone and the end of the call and said, “No they haven’t let anyone in today, but there was a scheduled maintenance.”

“Oh dear. I am afraid I forgot. They put a note on my door this morning," Alice admitted. "They are going to change the filter on the furnace. I’m sorry.”

Lucy patted her hand. “That’s okay, grams.”

Jack smiled at Alice. “Well shall we go see if they are installing it properly?”

They entered the front door to find the man, dressed in coveralls and sporting a name tag that identified him as being on the maintenance staff, sitting on the couch. Jack found that a bit strange and put his hand on his gun.

"FBI" Jack showed his credentials with his left hand. "Are you with maintenance?" Jack asked.

“I am. I installed a new furnace filter.”

Jack’s eyes narrowed. “And you are sitting on the couch because…”

“Because I am waiting for her.” He gestured to Rosemary.

Rosemary began studying the man intently. She walked over for a closer look before turning white as a sheet. It couldn’t be, she told herself. It wasn’t possible. Her voice was but a shocked whisper as she said, “Paul?”

“Hello mother.”

Rosemary turned white and began to teeter, but Charlie managed to catch her before she could collapse to the floor. Jack and Sue quickly helped him to get her over to the couch. They helped Rosemary to lie down.

Jack stood up and walked over to Paul, almost getting in his space. He gestured toward Rosemary. “You’re her son?”

“You catch on quick.”

“Why are you here?”

Paul shrugged. “What…can’t a guy decide to visit his old lady?”

Jack clenched and unclenched his fists. “How did you get in here?”

Paul smirked. “I just caught a bus in from Chicago. I couldn’t believe it when I landed this job a few days ago. It provided the perfect way to surprise mommy dearest, don't you think? This unit was down for a replacement furnace filter. I have a pass key. Simple enough for you?”

Jack kept interrogating. “Why come now?"

“That’s my business.”

Jack was not finished. “How did you find her?”

“I worked in intel in the service. I know how to find information.”

Sue left Rosemary’s side and came over to stand beside Jack. Her hand on his arm helped to calm him. “Uncle… Paul. I’m your niece Sue. This is my husband Jack Hudson.”

“Well, someone finally introduces themself." The expression in his eyes softened for a spit second. “So, you’re Edward’s girl.”

Rosemary stirred and tried to sit up. “Easy there,” Charlie admonished as helped her to sit up. “You’ve had quite a shock.” He glared over at Paul. Rosemary was still pasty white, but she seemed a little steadier. Charlie took her hand, alarmed at how cold it felt.

Rosemary finally managed to find her voice. “Paul? It can’t be. They told me... you were...missing in action and declared dead. When you didn’t contact us, we gave up hope that you were still alive. ”

“That’s what the Department of Defense Missing Personnel Office thought, too.” Paul ran a hand through his graying blond hair. “I was listed as MIA and declared dead. My tags were lost. They admitted me as a John Doe at the hospital where I was treated for post traumatic shock. I am one of the nearly 1,800 Americans who remain unaccounted-for from the conflict, as far as they are concerned.” He eyed Jack. “You’re going to ask why I didn’t report it when my memory returned. At first I suffered from amnesia; then I decided I wanted a new start and a new life.”

“Why…why didn’t you come home, or at least call?”

"Lady, that was no home. After you drove dad away, I couldn’t wait till I could get the h--- out of there.

Charlie stood up to his full height. “Hey, she’s your mother. Show a little respect. If you wanted to see her, you could have had the decency to give her some warning instead of shocking her like this. What if she had a weak heart?”

“Don’t you worry about her, old-timer. Her heart is plenty strong. It’s plenty cold, too.”

Rosemary was still trying to get her bearings. She took a sip from the glass of water that Lucy had brought to her. “Whatever have I done to make you hate me so?" she choked out.

“Still playing innocent as always I see, mother.” He stood up and reached into the front pocket of his coveralls. “Okay you want it aired in public... fine with me.” He pulled out an envelope, yellowed with age, and tossed it on the coffee table.

Jack snatched up the letter to take it to Rosemary, but she held up her hand.

“Will you read it Jack?” Rosemary requested.

“I will if you want me to.”

Jack slipped his finger inside the envelope and opened the flap. He set the envelope on the table then began to read the contents of a paper that was inside. Jack frowned. “This claims to be a report from a private detective agency located in Akron. The essence of the report is that... .” He lowered the letter and looked at Rosemary. “Maybe you will want to read this first.”

“It's all right. Go ahead.”

“In essence it claims that you were seen...having romantic trysts...with a man who was a co-worker of yours, a Dan Gunderson. It says that you were named as a correspondent in his divorce.”

Rosemary gasped. “I worked with a man by that name, but that is the only thing in that report that is true.”

“So you claim.” Paul sneered.

A red-faced Charlie went over and stood in Paul’s space. “Listen here. If you are so smart with intelligence as you say, did you ever consider that reports like this can be bought, if the price is right?”

Hoping to defuse the situation, Sue said, “We seem to have a lot of hurt, anger, and unanswered questions here. I think we need to step back and do some investigating to see what is gong on here.” Sue turned to her uncle. “Where are you staying, Uncle Paul?”

“I’m renting a motel room. I plan to quit this job tomorrow and leave town.”

“Would you be willing to stay for a couple of days and see if we get some answers?”




“Would you be willing to stay for a couple of days and see if we get some answers?” Sue asked.

Paul shook his head. “I didn’t come for a d--- reunion. I came to...”

Suddenly Paul was overtaken by a fit of coughing. He reached into his overalls for a handkerchief. When he removed it from wiping the front of his mouth the white cloth was stained red with his blood. The violent coughing relented as quickly as it started, leaving Paul spent. His clammy skin and sweaty brow indicative of how hard the attack had been.

"Uncle Paul, what can we do to help? Do you have medicine?" Sue asked.

He shook his head no. He looked around at the pairs of eyes that were fixed on him. “All right. You may as well know. I was going to tell you before I left anyway.” He rubbed his hands through his hair. "The doc’s say that I have lung cancer. I’ll be cashing it in soon.” He shrugged. “Maybe that's one reason why I came.”

Sue walked over and touched his arm. “I’m sorry to hear that you are sick, Uncle Paul. No one should face something like this alone. I’m glad you came back.”

He flinched. “I don’t need the Pollyanna routine or your pity. I’ll stay around for a couple days like you asked. You can reach me through the office.” He got up from the living room chair he was occupying and left, ignoring the call of his mother to wait.

Sue went over to Rosemary and hugged her. They both cried. Jack came up behind Sue and wrapped his arms around both of them.

“He thinks that...he thinks that I was having an affair, and I drove his father to leave us. I had no idea he thought that,” Rosemary said between sobs.

“Grandmother, I think Uncle Paul was sick even before getting cancer. I have an idea that he has not been well emotionally since he was in the war.” Sue said gently.

“I’m with Sue,” Charlie said. “Besides, why doesn’t he want to know why his dad never contacted him? A father worth his salt is not going to desert his son because his wife was unfaithful."

“I can’t bear to think of him being all alone in that motel room. Maybe the office has his address and we could go find him,” Rosemary said.

“I think he may need some space right now,” Jack recommended.

"Grandmother, do you want me to call my dad and tell him?" Sue asked.

"I should do it. It's my place."

"You're not alone either. Why don't we call him together?"

With Jack and Charlie by their side, grandmother and granddaughter placed a call to Ohio.


*************

Back home that evening, Sue was putting a load of laundry in the washing machine when Jack entered from the kitchen. He pulled out some clothes from the dryer and began to fold them. They worked quietly together for a few minutes. Jack had folded the last of the load when he turned to Sue with a look of concern.

“Sweetheart, I want to be sure you are okay. It's been a tough day.”

“I think so," she said, but then she began to shudder. "Hold me, please, honey.”

He didn’t need to be asked twice. “You are an amazing woman, Sue Hudson. I am so proud of you.”

“Of me?”

He gently tapped her on her nose. “Yes, you. Your loving, caring heart never ceases to amaze me.”

She was comforted by his embrace. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He held out his hand to her. “Shall we go to bed?”

She placed her hand in his as he led her to their bedroom. There in the comfort of their bed, Jack took her in his arms and loved her.


**********

Charlie had left for a brief time to close up the garage, but returned to the condo for dinner. They were not particularly hungry, but the hearty flavor of Alice’s special pot roast did work to revive their appetites.

It was getting late. Charlie was just thinking that he should be on his way home when Alice said, "Charlie, you are welcome to use the sleeper sofa if you’ve a mind too. I somehow feel that it would help Rosemary if you stayed here this evening."

He looked at Rosemary. “Would you like me to stay?"

She hesitated for a moment, but then nodded that she would.

“I’ll say goodnight then. I’ll set out towels and a new toothbrush in the bathroom,” Alice said as she left the room.

Charlie patted the space next to him, inviting her to sit with him.

“Oh Charlie, what you much think of me. That report from that agency, it...”

“Shhh”. Charlie placed a finger on her lips. “I don’t take any stock in any thing that fool paper says, not when I know the woman.” She found herself being drawn into his arms.

The next morning Rosemary sat on the patio of the condo with a cup of Earl Grey in her hands to ward off the slight chill in the air. She had slept fitfully during the night. Her mind kept ruminating over what had taken place the night before. She set her cup of tea down, leaned back and closed her eyes. Her son was alive, he was seriously ill, and he hated her. The only think she could think of to do was something she had not done much of until recently, she began to pray.

Charlie had spent the night on the couch not sleeping much better than she. He came to the door of the patio and saw her sitting there. He found an afghan draped over the couch and used it cover her. He sat down on the chair next to her and found himself praying for her and her son.

****

Sue was sitting propped up with pillows against the head board of their bed when Jack awoke. He gazed at the woman by his side and felt that she never looked more beautiful. Her countenance was peaceful. Her lips were curved into a slight smile. Her eyes were closed. He knew that she was praying for her uncle. He reached for Sue’s hand. When she opened her eyes to look at him, he signed, “Would you like some company praying?” She smiled and nodded. He took her by the hand as they prayed together.

****

The moving van was due in at ten. Jack and Sue were the first of the team to arrive.

Lucy took Jack and Sue aside almost as soon as they entered the front door. “I called Tara as you asked last night. She said she would tell the guys. I’m on my way to the office to help Tara do some research. I’ll give you a call later.” She grabbed her purse and left.

The guys arrived to help with the move as they had agreed. Just like Rosemary had indicated, it didn’t take long to get unload her things. They saved her a bit of money too by cutting down on the time she had to pay the moving company.

Rosemary was not thinking about moving fees or furniture arrangement. “I wonder if Paul is still at his motel?”

Jack came over and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Why don't I call over to the office to see if Paul has checked in." She smiled gratefully. The receptionist at the office told him that Paul was expected momentarily.

The movers had just unloaded the last of the boxes when the foreman came over to Rosemary. "Ma’am. I'm sorry, but we have one box here that looks like it may have been damaged. You might need to make a claim. Would you open it and do an inventory check on it for us?"

Rosemary agreed to go through the contents. One of the last items she pulled out was a beautifully carved, wood inlayed box.

Sue saw it and smiled at a pleasant memory it invoked. "Grandmother, I remember that box. You showed it to me when I was a little girl. I’ve always thought it was beautiful."

She was interrupted by Levi getting her attention to let her know that Lucy and Tara had arrived.

Lucy barely had her jacket off before she began her report. "We’ve learned that the Perry Drake detective agency that Joseph Thomas hired was later cited for fraud and closed down."

"That’s all we found so far, but we are just getting started," Tara added triumphantly. “Their files were confiscated by the local PD. The good news is that they think they may have the agency’s old files in their archives."

"From that long ago?" Myles asked.

"We'll soon find out."

They were interrupted by a voice coming from the front door. "Well, well. I see it is moving day."

Rosemary turned and cried out, "Paul, I'm glad your here."




Rosemary took a couple of steps toward Paul, but stopped when he bristled. “You came back," she said.

Paul shrugged. “I said I would stay a few days.”

“Yes, so you did. How are you feeling today, any better?”

“Getting by.”

The smile she gave him was not returned. Not knowing at the moment what else to say, Rosemary ventured, “Let me introduce you to Sue’s co-workers.” Rosemary introduced him to the members of the team that he had not yet met.

Bobby held up a piece of pepperoni pizza that he was eating. “Have you eaten lunch? We have plenty of pizza here,”

“I’ve eaten.”

“Won’t you at least set down for a few minutes and have something to drink.” Sue pointed to the counter laden with sodas and water bottles.”

Paul took a bottle of water and guzzled it. “The office said you had called looking for me.”

Rosemary looked at the dark circles under his eyes. “To be honest we have all been worried about you...I’ve been worried.”

Sue added, “That’s right, Uncle Paul. We didn’t like to think of you being in a motel room by yourself last night.”

Paul snorted. “Yeah, whatever.” He looked around the room and changed the subject. “You did manage to move in here quickly I notice.”

“Yes, thanks to all of this help,”. Rosemary said.

Bobby stood up to his full 6’3” height. “Well, on that note, I believe I‘ll say good-bye then. My basketball team is practicing in half an hour."

“And my wife Donna has a honey-do list a mile long,” D. stretched his arms wide.

Myles said, “Oh, and I have to go meet my sister Anne. She coerced me into helping her shop for a new painting for her condo this afternoon.”

Alice looked first at her watch and than at Lucy and Tara, "Look at the time, girls. If we want to catch that movie we talked about, we better put one foot in front of the other."

After they left, Sue turned to Jack to ask him if he would like to walk Levi with her. When Levi heard the word walk, being the happy dog that he was, he began to show his excitement by wagging his tail with enthusiasm. He walked past the coffee table with his tail in full swing. Sue had put Rosemary's box that she was looking at earlier on the table. Levi brushed the box with his tail as he passed by, causing it to fall with a clatter on the hardwood floor. The lid of the box opened on impact and some papers fell out. Paul was the closest, so he reached down to pick the papers up.

“Oh, I usually keep that that box in a safely deposit box, but I haven’t had time to open one yet. Here Paul, I’ll take those.”

Paul didn’t respond to her comment because his attention was focused on a document that was in his hand. His name was clearly visible on the top of the paper, so he felt at liberty to read it. “What’s this?” he asked aloud. As he read on, he realized that he was looking at a court document that gave custody rights of the minor children, Paul Andrew Thomas and Edward Charles Thomas to Rosemary Blair Thomas.

There was a note that was paper clipped to the court document that Paul held in his hand. He unclipped the note, unfolded it, then began to read aloud the words that were written by his father’s hand over forty years ago. “Rosemary,” the note began, “My lawyer has processed this transfer of custody form. Here is your copy. Like I told you, I will send child support, but I don’t want to be tied down to you and the boys any longer. I don’t want visitation rights. I have found someone else that I want to be with. I want my freedom. My attorney will be serving you with the divorce papers. If you want to contact me for any reason, go through my lawyer.”

Paul’s hand started to shake. “My father wrote this to you.”

“I am sorry you saw that before you were prepared.” She wiped at tears that had fallen on her cheeks.

Paul stared at her. "Why didn’t you show me this before?"

"I did not want you to be hurt by knowing that that your father had disowned you. The summer that you graduated from high school you were so distant. I tried to tell you then, thinking that you were old enough to know, but the timing never seemed to be right. Then you left for basic training that August.” Rosemary reached out to place a hand on his arm. She was encouraged when he didn’t flinch. “I should have told you Paul. Can you forgive me?

Paul swore. “I don’t know what to think.” He turned and fled the room.

Rosemary’s hands came up to cover her face. Charlie came up to her, gentling her into his embrace. “Shhh. It’ll be okay.” He held her until her sobs subsided.

“Oh, Charlie. Do you think he will come back? Have I lost him again?”

He answered truthfully, “I think he ran because he needs time to deal with what just happened here."

"I hope and pray you are right."

He pulled her a little tighter. "Me, too."

*****

Jack and Sue left, leaving Rosemary finally napping on the couch with Charlie sitting by her side, to drive into the office to see if there was anything that could be found that would help.

Jack chuckled as they entered the bull pen to find that all the team was there. He tapped Sue’s arm. “Now, isn’t this amazing. We seem to have a basketball game, a list of chores, a shopping excursion, and a movie that all seem to have been cancelled. Imagine that?"

Sue nodded. “Yes, imagine that.” The team members glanced their way when they heard Sue and Jack talking. Smiling softly, she looked at each of them individually, then signed, “Thank you.”

Bobby jaunted over to where they were standing. "Hey, Sparky. We have confirmed that Paul did indeed work in intelligence when he was in Vietnam."

"I was able to locate the name of the Combat Support Hospital that treated him" Tara reported.

"I find it a bit strange that Paul has been using his name all these years instead of an alias." Lucy added.

Myles stood up from his desk to join the conversation. "Maybe he figured that his name is common, making it hard to trace. It certainly didn't seem to get back to the DOD Missing Persons Office."

Tara waved her hand. "Wow, here’s something interesting from the Ohio State Vital Records Office." All eyes turned to the petite computer tech.




Tara pointed to her monitor with a pink-plumed pen. “This record says that Paul was married for a time...to a Karen Weldon from Cincinnati.”

“Interesting fact, but I somehow think there’s more,” Jack said as he noted the expression on Tara’s face.

“Yeah...there’s also a death certificate for her. It lists the cause of death as trauma suffered from a car accident.” Tara shook her head, “This poor guy’s been through the ringer.”

Everyone was quiet until Sue’s gentle voice broke the silence. “Myles, you said a minute ago that you thought it was strange that he hasn’t used an alias.”

"Yes, that’s correct."

“I wonder if maybe deep down he has wanted to be found, especially now. No wonder he is so angry.”

That’s so like my Sue, Jack thought as he smiled at her. He tore his gaze away from her to focus back to the team. “Anyone have leads on what he has been doing...or his work history?”

"I’m checking his Public Records file as we speak.” Tara said.

"Bobby's covering his military records, and I am checking futher into that case with the detective agency," Myles informed them.

“I just called the motel where he is staying. He hasn’t checked out," Lucy said.

Sue sighed, "That’s a relief."

Supervisor Ted Garrett stood at the door with his arms folded across his chest. His strong, bass voice carried through the room as he said, “What do we have here? What brings this team together so late in the evening like this when you don’t have a case that is on 24-7. I stopped in to pick up a file from my office."

“Actually we are working on a personal case, Ted,” Jack explained. "It involves Sue's family, and the team is trying to help us with it."

“I see.” Ted said. A slight smile began to show on his face. “Let me know what you find out about Sue’s uncle, or if I can help." He turned with a bemused look on his face and left.

"How did he know?" Bobby asked.

“This is the FBI. The walls have ears,” D. quipped. They all laughed at the memory those words brought to mind of the Dessa case they once worked on when the word had quickly spread that Jack and Sue were going undercover as a married couple.



Jack and Sue entered the parking garage from the elevator. As they made their way to their car, they discussed how the team had learned that Paul had held a variety of jobs over the years, none of them for more than a few years, with most of them being with construction companies. They were not surprised that everything that Paul had said seemed to easily check out. He had told them little of his background, but what he had said proved true.

“I wish that Uncle Paul had given us a chance to tell him about the Perry Connors Detective Agency being charged with fraud before he took off like that,” Sue said.

“Hopefully we’ll get the chance to tell him tomorrow. Maybe dealing with the fact that his father disowned him is enough for him to deal with for one night."

“Honey, what do you think about checking in on Paul on our way home tonight?”

“He might not appreciate us coming unannounced.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

Jack looked at her with concern and love reflected in his dark eyes. “You look tired, sweetheart. Let me take you home.”

“That sounds wonderful. I am tired.”

He opened the door to help her and Levi in the car, but not before he had kissed her tenderly.




Jack turned off the key to the ignition of the car and turned to look at his wife. She looked so peaceful. He could tell that she was almost asleep. He gazed lovingly at the features that he was coming to love more and more every day. As lovely as her outward beauty was, he was drawn to the beauty that emanated from within her like an underground spring bubbling up from the bedrock of the earth. He reached over and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand.

“Oh, I’m sorry Jack. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.”

“If I hadn’t been driving, I probably would have been asleep myself.”

After he helped Levi and her out of the car, they walked arm in arm across the street to allow Levi a chance to do his business in the park before going into the apartment. Jack had offered to walk him, but Sue declined saying she wanted to go along. They were almost to the apartment when Sue looked up into his dark, brown eyes. He noticed with concern that her eyes appeared to be tearing up.

“Jack, I feel that for the last few days that I have been neglecting you...us. I’m sorry.”

“Aw, Sue. I understand. You’re not neglecting me. You wouldn’t be the wonderful woman I married if you ignored what was going on with your grandmother and your uncle.”

"I know that life’s going to do this to us, you know, demand our time and attention, but I don’t ever want to get so busy or involved with something that I take our relationship for granted.”

“Me, too, Sue.” He pulled her in for a kiss.

Jack noticed as they approached their front door that there was a note attached to it. He pulled it off to read it. “It’s from the management," he told her. "They say there was a delivery for us and that they set it inside our apartment.”

He opened the door for them and they stepped inside. Jack’s eyes got as big as a child’s on Christmas morning as he saw what was sitting in the middle of their living room. It was a shiny blue Burley tandem mountain bike.

“I wanted to have it delivered before we left on our honeymoon," she told him, "but they were back ordered. I hope you like it.”

"Like, it! Sue Hudson you know how much I enjoy mountain biking. This is incredible. Now I won’t have to rent the next time. The best part is that I get to take you with me." He suddenly stopped and shook his finger at her while faking a stern look. "You paid for this from the money you made teaching that ASL course, didn't you."

She faked a groan. "Busted."

He picked her up and twirled her around. “Thank you, sweetheart. I can’t wait to have you following behind me on it as we do some cross-country.”

“With that bike being a tandem, I won’t have any choice but to follow you. But like they say, following is all about who’s leading. I won’t promise to never be a back seat driver though." She grinned impishly. "Just don't drive us into any mountain streams, or into the Potomac for that matter."

They both broke into joyous peals of laughter that rang throughout the apartment as he pulled her into his arms.

Jack could tell that Sue had received a second wind when she said playfully, “I think this calls for a song.” Jack wondered what she was up to until he heard her begin to play the song Bicycle Built for Two. She is such a delight, he though as he sang along with her, opting to sing the name Suzy instead of Daisy as they laughingly sang a few verses.

Brown eyes and hazel eyes sparkled as he pulled her up from the piano seat into his arms. He waltzed her around the room for a few minutes before they collapsed onto the couch.

“You will look sweet sitting on that seat,” he signed as he pointed to the bike. He kissed her to make his point. “Thank you again, sweetheart,” he signed.

“You're welcome." She took her hand and rubbed it along Jack's thigh. "I will have the advantage though of being on the back seat. You will have to watch what’s ahead. I on the other hand will be completely free to enjoy watching you in your bike shorts."

Jack’s voice grew husky, “Why, Mrs. Hudson, are you trying to seduce me?”

“Come with me to bed, Mr. Hudson, and you just might find out.”

He took her offered hand. Their lovemaking that night was lighthearted and full of joy. When a sated Jack fell asleep that night, he dreamed of racing through the country side with Sue.




Thankfully, the next morning was Sunday, which gave them the luxury of sleeping in late. When he woke, she was already awake. They lay together for a time as they engaged in some pillow talk.

“Hey Sue, after we get back from church, would you like to take a spin on the bike around the Mall before we go over to your grandmother’s?”

She smiled brightly. “That sounds perfect. When I talked to my grandmother before we left work last night, she said that Paul is working today. He finishes up at 4:00 and he agreed to come by the apartment.”

The Mall was not crowded for a change. The air was brisk, just the right temperature for a bike ride. The tulips and pansies put in by the Park Service were in full bloom. The American elms offered a nice shade from the sun.

Sue was just saying to Jack, “We should come over here and bike during our lunch hours sometimes since we work so close,” when she noticed him reach for his cell phone. They pulled the bike over to the side of the path.

“This is Jack,” he answered.

Suddenly she saw his face go tense. She watched as Jack went into agent mode.

She felt a shiver run through her as she saw Jack’s lips say, “What? I don’t believe it. Do you know why weren’t we told that he was released before this? We were listed to be contacted."

Jack ended the call and turned to Sue. “Honey, that call was about the man who we arrested when we took down the Concove Construcion Company... the case we helped Alice with that we called To Grandmother’s House We Go.

Sue knew immediately that he was referring to a man named Sal, who had been a big fish in a home construction racketeering ring. She could still see Alice's frightened face when she was afraid she was going to loose her house. The team had used Levi to set up a sting to catch him and put an end to the Concove Construction Company's devious ways. It had worked beautifully.

“That was Marty from DOJ calling to tell us that Sal was just released from the. Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago.”

“Jack, let’s go check on Alice and my grandmother.”

Jack already was making a call to the team, but nodded in agreement.




Salvadore Carouso made his way to the back door of the condo where he now knew that Alice Dotson lived, and hid behind the privacy fence. The gun he had in his pocket felt cold and hard against his thigh.

He had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. During his time in prison he plotted just how he would settle his score with the team who had sent him up the river. Since arriving on the bus from Chicago, he had been flopping at a discount hotel that he had located. He had used his charm and cunning to find out exactly where Alice had moved after her house was sold by asking one of her former neighbors. The neighbor gave him the name of the retirement village where Alice moved, but did not mention a house number. Sal knew better than to pry and risk arousing the neighbor’s suspicions. For the past few days he had been watching until he spotted Alice going into her condo. He had found her. Once he had, it wasn't long before he recognized the agents who had arrested him. He wanted revenge against the dark haired agent and the blond analyst that testified at his trial so bad he could taste it. However, he had one concern that haunted him. They were FBI. If he took them out, the result would be a manhunt that would be almost impossible to evade. The question was, did he want his revenge badly enough to take the risk.

He jumped when saw the door open and he took cover behind the privacy fence. His eyes followed her every move as she opened the top of the dumpster and deposited a bag of trash. Alice closed the lid and started back for the house. He rushed her, reaching her just as she got to the back door. He jammed a gun against her side. Alice almost fell as he pushed her inside and closed the door.

“If you want to take your next breath, lady, you will do just what I say.”

He instructed Alice to sit in one of her dining room chairs.

Rosemary was in the kitchen when she heard the voices. Her blood began to run cold as she came to realize that Alice was in danger. She guessed that Alice was too shocked to say anything. She held her breath as she listened to the man’s ranting.

“You and your agent friends thought it was pretty funny using a dog with a surveillance camera on his collar to put me away, didn’t you. You made a big mistake when you decided to mess with me. Well, lady, now we’ll see just who is going to have the last laugh. I think you and I will just wait here for your friends and give them a warm welcome."

His sinister laugh sent chills up and down Rosemary’s spine. Rosemary froze. She didn’t know what to do. It was then that she heard the door bell. She glanced at her watch and saw that it was just a few minutes past four. She heard a voice that up until a few days ago she never expected to hear again in this lifetime. It was Paul’s voice. She tried to figure out how to warn him but it was no use.

Sal thought this might be one of the agents. He instructed Alice to open the door and tell the person to come in. Paul entered the condo when Alice opened the door to find a strange man looming in the center of the room holding a gun on them. "What in the... ."

“Unless you want to see this woman with a bullet in her, you better sit in that chair."

Paul sat down, the glare of his piercing blue eyes boring into the gray eyes of Sal.

This was obviously not in the assailant’s game plan at all. Rosemary could tell that the man was starting to feel desperate. Acting on an impulse, she picked up a rolling pin from the kitchen counter and a salt shaker from next to the stove. She peeked around the corner and was grateful to find that his back was to her. As silently as possible, Rosemary approached him from behind. She had a marble rolling pin in one hand and a salt shaker in the other. Praying for the element of surprise, she edged closer. Rosemary tossed the salt shaker against the far wall, hoping to draw his fire away from the Alice and Paul. Sal aimed and fired at the noise. She lifted the rolling pin high over his head. As soon as the gun was no longer pointing at Lucy and Paul, she hit him hard with the rolling pin. Sal collapsed on the floor.




Jack and Sue pulled up to the curb in their car to see two uniformed men rushing into Rosemary and Alice’s condo. Jack recognized their blue uniforms as belonging to the security staff of the retirement village. He had even met the two men before. Jack drew his gun. He turned toward Sue. "Wait by the car."

Sue shook her head. “My grandmother is in there.”

“That is exactly why you should stay. We don’t know what we may be walking into here.

“I’m coming with you.”

“She could be hurt or...”

“I’m coming with you.”

Jack sighed in resignation. “Okay, but stay behind me.”

Both of her hands gripped onto his shoulders like a vise. He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile before they started inside.

Jack and Sue entered to find Alice and Rosemary standing by the living room couch holding each other as they stared down at the man sprawled out on the floor. Paul was standing just a few feet away from them. Jack recognized the fallen man immediately as Sal. When he saw that the security officers already had him contained with cuffs, Jack holstered his gun. The security guards acknowledged Jack and Sue and informed them that an ambulance was on the way. Jack showed them his ID as he explained that the fallen man was a prior federal prisoner, and that he would be making an arrest.

Rosemary began to shake. “Dear God. Please tell me I did not kill him.”

Sue was about to go to her grandmother when something held her back. She held her breath as a feeling of anticipation overcame her.

“He is very much alive, just knocked out,” Jack told her.

“Thank God.”

Paul suddenly took a step toward his mother. His eyes began to fill with tears as he looked at her. He was only able to choke out two words, “thank you," before he reached out slowly and placed his hands on his mother’s arms before pulling her into his arms. Healing tears flowed as mother and son held each other.

Jack looked down at his wife. Seeing that Sue was crying as well, he took her in his arms and rejoiced with her at what they had just witnessed.

The sounds of an ambulance approaching interrupted the reconciliation that had started between mother and son.

The team arrived hot on the heels of the ambulance personnel, filling the condo with several agents, a worried rotor, and the paramedics.

"What happened here?" Bobby asked.

“I’ll tell you what happened,” Paul interjected. "This bozo had us at gun point. He said that he had a score to settle with you. Something about the dog here, and that you testified against him. It didn’t make much sense to me.” He pointed to his mother. “She just saved our lives by whacking him over the head with a rolling pin.”

Myles raised his eyebrows. “Not to orthodox, to be sure, but it seems to have worked.”

Myles and Bobby volunteered to escort Sal to the hospital in their custody. As they left, Jack heard Bobby say, "That is one brave sheila, just like her granddaughter."

As the others tried to get their bearings about them, Jack walked over to examine the hole that had been left in the wall by Sal’s errant bullet. He rubbed his hand over it briefly. He made a mental note to himself to point it out the crime scene investigator when he came. Turning to Rosemary, he gently said, “If you hadn’t had the presence of mind to divert his gun fire, we may have had a very different outcome here. I...”

“I know Jack. I did a very foolhardy thing. I am not sure why I threw that salt shaker, or why I even hit him with that pin. I was just trying to help my son and Alice.”

Jack smiled warmly, “I was just going to say that you are a very brave woman.” Jack began to think of another time when a younger version of Rosemary risked her life to save him from the day he took a bullet in his Kevlar vest. “You Thomas women are pretty amazing. I willl however, tell you what I told your granddaughter once.” He winked at his wife. “Don’t ever do that again.”

Paul looked at mother, not sure what to do next. He felt overwhelmed by his swirling emotions. The woman he had disdained for most of his adult life had just risked her life to save them. I was wrong, he thought. So very wrong.

Alice had the need for something to do, so she made it her mission to serve up some tea. With Lucy hovering over her to help, Alice placed the tea and condiments on a tray and began to pass them around. She got to Paul and began to hand him a cup when he suddenly began to cough hard.

This spell was as bad if not worse than the last one he had. The coughing just would not stop. When Paul started having difficulty getting his breath, he finally allowed the group to talk him into going to the ER. He would not, however, agree to an ambulance, so Jack drove the anxious group to Georgetown University Hospital.

Just when it seemed to Paul that he would never be seen, he was called back to one of the exam rooms. By the time the ER doctor walked in the door, Paul’s coughing had eased somewhat. The doctor was a young man with kind eyes and a pleasant smile. He introduced himself as Dr. Winters.

He placed the earpiece of the stethoscope to his ears while placing the scope against Paul's chest. He listened intently to the sound of his lungs. "So, you've been given a diagnosis of lung cancer.”

"That’s right."

"Where were your diagnosed?"

When Paul told him the doctor scowled. “A fair clinic I suppose, but I’d say you would be smart to get a second opinion, and from a much bigger clinic. He began to write on a prescription pad. "I"ll give you something that will ease the coughing for right now.” He handed the prescription to Paul. "You know, I’m obviously an ER guy and not an oncologist, but If I were you I would pursue this further. I’m aware of some exciting work in being done in stereotactic body radiosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic. It is a fancy name for new technology that is used to deliver very high doses of radiation very accurately to tumors in the body. It is being used as an alternative to lung cancer surgery, and it has yielded some very impressive results from what I hear. I’ll have the staff give you the name of the doctor at Cleveland who is leading the pack on this. It certainly couldn’t hurt to look into it, right? I don’t want to be peddling any false hopes for a cure here, this is a life-threatening disease, but I sure would want to see you check it out if you were my brother or my dad."

Paul nodded, suddenly feeling a ray of hope for the first time since the initial diagnosis, if not for a cure, at least a hope for a increase in the amount of quality time he may have left.




Charlie gripped the steering wheel of his car while waiting most impatiently for the light to turn green. He couldn’t believe the incredible story that had been conveyed to him. Chiding himself for not being there, the thought kept churning though his mind that he could have lost her, a woman whom he had known for only a few months now, but he felt like he had known for ever so much longer, a woman that he had now fallen in love with. But now as he navigated the streets of D.C, he pondered what these recent events might mean to their relationship. She had just learned to trust again. He didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that for her. She may have been strong enough to fend off that man who threatened to shoot her son and Alice, but was she strong enough so that this encounter with her angry son would not interfere with the way she was opening up her heart to love again. He thought she was giving him indications that she was in love with him. There were the ways she looked at him at sometimes, the occasions when she seemed to seek out his company, the sparkle of her eyes that seemed to be there lately when they talked, the shy pleasure she displayed when he held her hand, and the way she had wanted him close by when a very angry Paul first arrived. He felt these were all hopeful signs, but could that now all change? He knew she was all right; he had been assured of that. The last he knew they had brought Paul into the ER because of his breathing. Finally he arrived at his destination, the emergency room of Georgetown University Hospital.

He quickly found Rosemary, Sue and the others all congregated in the waiting room where Paul has just finished filling them in on what the doctor had said during his examination. Without hesitation Charlie rushed over to her. “Rosemary, thank God you’re okay.”

"Charlie, you're here."

He placed a hand on her cheek. "I am so sorry that I wasn't there."

"Never mind that. You're here now." It was all she managed to say before they were in each others arms. He forgot for a few moments that they were in a hospital ER. He forgot that they were not alone. He forgot about everything else except that they were in each other’s arms. He kissed her on the corner of her mouth.

When they pulled out of each other’s embrace in a few moments and became aware of the others, he suddenly felt his cheeks grow warm. He noticed that she began to adjust the shoulders of the soft, red cardigan sweater that she was wearing. He smiled at her, giving her a look that he hoped would ease her embarrassment.

Sue came over to them and hugged them. "We’re glad you’re here, Charlie. Why don’t you come over and sit down. We have so much to tell you.”

On the way out of the hospital, Jack’s cell phone rang. He answered the phone and then tossed it to Paul. The call was from Edward who was checking to see what was going on with his new found brother. By the time the phone conversation had ended, Paul had been convinced to go to Ohio where he could get reacquainted with his brother and be close to the clinic. The warmth that Edward showed to him touched Paul deeply.

After the call, Paul was brought up to speed by Jack on the shady dealings of the detective agency that his father had hired to discredit Rosemary.

“Why didn’t you ever get in touch with your father?” Jack asked.

“I did. We even met up once. He seemed distant, but I figured it was because he was uncomfortable. You super sleuths probably know that he lives in California. When I found out that he had a wife and kids, I decided to bow out. I didn’t want to complicate their lives. I figured I was better off without family anyway. I haven’t looked him up in years, though.”

“We super sleuths, as you put it, also found out that he left them as well. He managed to take them for all the money they were worth before he did. The latest we have is that he is doing some time for embezzlement at the last company he worked for.”

“My old man has certainly turned out to be a fine piece of work.” Paul glanced over at his mother. “How could I have ever been so mistaken about her?” he asked aloud.

Sue touched his arm. “And now you have your mother back in your life.”

“I’ll never be able to make it up to her for the past,” he said.

“No,” Sue agreed, “but now you have the present and the future. You’re not alone Uncle Paul. God loves you and so do we.”

Paul nodded. His gaze traveled to Rosemary and Charlie who were walking in front of them. Paul got Sue’s attention. “How long has that been going on?” He motioned with his head toward his mother and Charlie.

Sue smiled, “About two months now. They met when she came down here for a visit.”

“I hope it works out. She deserves to be happy.”

*****

That night found Charlie and Rosemary alone for what seemed like the first time since Paul had stumbled into their lives. Charlie had offered to have Paul bunk at his place that night, but Paul declined, gently this time, saying that he was doing fine, but that he had a lot to think about. Charlie’s invitation was genuine, but now that he was about to knock on Rosemary’s front door, he couldn’t help but feel pleased that Paul had declined.

When she opened the door, Charlie felt his heart skip a beat. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.

“Charlie, what is that you are holding behind your back,” she wanted to know.”

He pulled out a red rose that he was holding behind his back and presented it to her. “A rose for a Rose." He considered her for a moment. “Rosie...you know, that kind of suits you somehow. What would you think if I called you Rosie...just between the two of us, I mean?”

“I would like that Charlie.” She led the way over to the couch where they both sat down.

“Well then, there’s something I would like to tell you. What happened with Paul has got me thinking. None of us knows just how much time the good Lord is going to give us. When a man gets to be my age, it’s not a good idea to let the grass grow under your feet. You are going to think this is awful quick and all.” His moustache twitched as he looked at her. “What I am trying to say is that love you. I love you Rosie Thomas.” He held his breath as he wondered what her response to his declaration might be.

“I love you too, Charlie.”

“May I kiss you?” When she nodded he took her into his arms and eased her into their first kiss, the first romantic kiss that she had had since her ex-husband left her.

Charlie raised the stakes even higher. “Do you think you could consider...that we...that you...would you be willing to...will you marry me?

“Are you sure you want to marry a woman like me who is just learning to love again?”

“Yes, ma’am. I do.”

“In that case, yes, I will marry you Charlie Adams.”

He pulled out a ring box from his pocket and presented her with a beautiful platinum solitaire engagement ring and slipped it on her finger.

She was speechless. The only thing she could do to show him how she was feeling was to kiss him. And she did.


Jack and Sue went to bed early since the next day was Monday, a work day. He could tell that his wife was feeling relief as a result of all that had occurred that day. The lines of concern that she had been wearing on her brow over most of the weekend had eased away. As they climbed into bed together, Jack wondered if she needed rest rather then lovemaking. His body was already primed, but he wanted her to be on the same page. To his delight, she quickly let him know that she was indeed of like mind. He noticed how relaxed she was in his arms as they shared their love with each other. As Jack held her in his arms afterward, he had the feeling that something special had just happened. He couldn’t explain it, but he sensed it just the same. It was like a gentle whisper to his soul, a whisper that seemed to be telling him that he and Sue had conceived a child this night. He pulled her closer and laid a hand low on her abdomen. When she smiled at him and covered his hand with hers, he wondered if she sensed it too. He thought that perhaps she did. They didn’t exchange any words. Words seemed superfluous somehow. He knew that his dream to be a father one day may have influenced these feelings he was having, but he somehow didn’t think so. He pulled her closer still as he felt her drifting off to sleep. There in the stillness of the night, Jack gave the timing over to the One who is the giver of life. It was then that Jack joined her in sleep.


That night Paul slept fitfully in his bed at the hotel. The coughing that had plagued him earlier sending him to the ER had abated, but it was his mind that created his current state of wakefulness. He finally gave up trying and turned on the light next to the bed. It was then that he felt a gentle prodding to open the drawer. Just as he expected, his outstretched hands landed on a Bible that had been placed there by the Gideons. He picked it up. Using the concordance in the back, he looked for verses having the word “hope” in them. He closed Bible and then his eyes. There in the stillness of the night, Paul asked for and received hope and acceptance from the One who loves him supremely. It was then that Paul was able to sleep.




The next afternoon the team huddled around Jack and Sue as they filled them in on what they had learned when they had lunch with Rosemary and Charlie.

“Yeah, that’s right. Charlie proposed to my grandmother last night and she accepted.” Sue told them.

“Whoo hoo. They didn’t waste much time, did they,” Bobby said when he learned about the engagement.. “Good for them. Glad Charlie didn’t take the slow road like you did, eh, Sparky. That is at least until you ‘fessed up that you love her, then you were off like a rocket.”

“Hey, I wasn’t being slow. I was just waiting for the right timing.” Jack grinned cockily. “Then I just called on the irresistible Hudson charm and, voilà , she married me."

“Would that be the same charm that you used on Eleanor Rippendorf when she set up the Bachelor Auction two years ago,” Myles wanted to know.

“Or the time you had that pretty car mechanic try to call you several times to see if you needed an appointment for some “personal maintenance.” Bobby added with a chuckle.

“Oh yeah, I remember her. I seem to recall that her name was Sam. She did take a shine to you, Jack. Wasn’t she the one who did this?” Sue gave Jack a swat on the behind.

“Ow! Okay, okay.” Jack held up his hands in surrender. “Point taken.”

They all laughed.

“Did they tell you when they are getting married, Sue?” Tara asked.

“They said a month from now. They are thinking of being married in the little chapel at the retirement village. I haven’t seen it yet.”

I’ve been there a few times with Grams,” Lucy said. “It’s a pretty little chapel that holds maybe a hundred people. There is a beautiful stained glass window in front. The upholstery and the carpet are red, and the wood is light maple. It has a light, cheerful look about it. It will perfect for their wedding.” Lucy clapped her hands. “This is exciting." She winked at Sue. "You know that I am good with calligraphy so I can help with the invitations."

“Bobby and I can do the photo album.” Tara said.

Myles adjusted his tie. "My rosebushes should still be in bloom by then if she likes roses."

“I’ll check with my Donna about the cake." D. added.

"You all are the best. Thank you."

Jack cleared his throat. “I hate to break up this local chapter of the Weddings R Us Coordinating Services, but we do have a case here that we need to get back to.” Jack said. “But Sue’s right, you all are the best.”

That day marked the beginning of a flurry of activity as the preparations were made for Charlie and his Rosie’s big day.

Charlie and Rosemary sat together that evening discussing what they wanted for the wedding.

“Charlie, whom would you like to stand up for you?” she asked him.

“I’d like to ask Jack.” His eyes twinkled. “And I have a hunch that you want to ask Sue.”

“I would. That was an easy decision. What do you think if we just keep it simple and have just the two attendants, the best man and matron of honor?"

“That sounds good to me, Rosie.” He leaned over and kissed her. He smiled through the kiss as he noted that each time they kissed, she seemed to respond to him with more passion.



The afternoon of Rosemary and Charlie’s wedding was clear and cool, a welcome reprieve from the heat that had been felt in the D.C. area for the past week. Most of the Thomas family had arrived the day before and settled into a nearby motel in the area. Sue’s brothers and their families came, as well as Rosemary’s brother Warren and his wife.

Paul had ridden down with Edward and Carla. Rosemary told him when she saw him that she thought that Paul looked much stronger than he had when he first entered their lives. The doctors were saying that he was responding well to the treatment protocol that he had been on. The surgery that he had undergone went well. Nothing is ever a surety when dealing with a disease like this, but Paul was experiencing good days that were full and pain free. He talked about the possibility of moving to D.C. after he finished with his treatments, saying that would give him the chance to get to know his mother better.

Charlie had a sister and brother-in-law who drove up from Atlanta, along with a nephew and his wife who flew in from Albuquerque to attend the wedding. Charlie had made it a point to let them know how pleased he was that they had traveled all that way.

The chapel looked lovely. Several arrangements of Myles’ roses graced the front platform, filling the air with their lovely fragrance. The stained glass window cast a rosy glow across the room. Over eighty people gathered to witness the marriage of Charles Frederick Adams to Rosemary Blair Thomas.

Carla Thomas had been asked to play the piano for the wedding. Soon the sounds of Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring filled the chapel.

The pastor entered from a side door followed by Charlie and Jack. The men proceeded to take their respective places at the front of the chapel. Charlie and Jack both wore dark suits with blue dress shirts and ties. Charlie had a rose boutonnière in his lapel.

Sue came down the aisle toward the front of the chapel wearing a soft, blue tea-length dress. She carried a buoquet arrangement of summer flowers. Jack smiled at his wife as she approached and mouthed the words, “I love you, sweetheart. You look beautiful.” She read his words. She told him that she loved him too by making the sign for I love you close to her heart.

The opening chords of Wagner’s Bridal Chorus announced that Rosemary had arrived at the back of the chapel. She smiled radiantly as her sons Paul and Edward escorted their mother down the aisle. Her eyes scanned the congregation until she saw the person that she most wanted to see...Charlie.

I truly never expected to feel this way, or be this happy ever again, she thought. Now, here I am with a wonderful man waiting for me at the front of this chapel. He has shown me in so many countless ways these last three months how much he loves me. I trust him with my heart and life.

Charlie’s moustache twitched ever so slightly, and his eyes brimmed with tears as Rosemary came down the aisle. She wore an ivory suit that complimented her petite frame and her preference for a classic look. In her silver-white hair, she wore two pearl combs that had been passed down from her mother. What Charlie noticed however, was that she looked beautiful.

I truly never expected to feel this way, or be this happen ever again, he thought. When Thelma passed away, I never expected I would marry again. Now this wonderful woman has entered my life and filled my heart with her love.

Paul and Edward each kissed their mother’s cheek before placing her hand in Charlie’s.

Charlie took her right hand in his as they faced the pastor to say their vows. Both their voices were strong and confident as they spoke the traditional vows to each other. They were not two twenty-year olds who were clueless, but they were a mature man and woman who were well aware of the joys and the heartaches that life can bring. So, there in the presence of God, and those who were witnesses, Rosemary and Charlie were joined in marriage.

"You may now kiss the bride," the minister said.

Charlie tenderly took her in his arms and kissed her. And as he did, there was not a dry eye in the congregation.

The reception for Rosemary and Charlie was held in the social hall across the street from the chapel. It was a good size room that was well utilized for a wide variety of activities. At one end of the room there was a lattice wall that separated the main room from the kitchen area. The other end of the room held the white cloth-covered tables topped with food laid out in buffet style. A butter cream four-tier cake, decorated by Donna, graced the cake table. Near the entry door, there was a table that displayed the guest book and a video digital frame that, thanks to the quick work of Tara, was already showing photos from the wedding. The room was decorated with blue and white streamers that met in the center where a disco ball hung, due to the efforts of Bobby Manning. He had also seen to it that a disco ball had also hung a few months earlier at Sue and Jack’s wedding.

Charlie and Rosemary took the floor for their first dance. Charlie had declared to her that he was all left feet, but Rosemary’s natural grace made them both look comfortable as they danced together.

As he danced with her a few dances later, Charlie looked up at the disco ball and chuckled. “It tickles me that kids always think they have come up with something new when really it is like Bobby said, ‘everything old is new again.’ We used to call these mirror balls and they would play songs like Moonlight Serenade."

“I remember. Don't forget about bobbed hair and permanent waves.” She laughed and then pulled him closer. “One thing I know... is that I feel all new inside today. I love you, Charlie."

“And I love you.” He kissed her on the cheek.

Sue and Jack held each other tenderly as they too danced together under the disco ball.

“What are you thinking Jack?" she asked him.

“I’m thinking about holding you in my arms at our wedding and having you tell me that you were so thankful that we had our second time around.” He sighed deeply. “I am so glad that you didn’t give up on me sweetheart.”

“You were well worth the wait, Jack. Besides, you know that I think that our love story has unfolded just like it was intended to. I love you so much, honey.”

“And I love you, sweetheart.” He pulled he closer and rested his cheek against her hair.

Edward Thomas and his uncle Warren stood by the punch table observing the couples who were dancing.

Warren shook his head. “I never in a million years dreamed when Rosemary insisted that day that she was moving to D. C. that here, three months later, she would be getting married to a man she obviously has come to love very much.” He glanced over at Paul. “Not only that, but that she would find Paul after all these years, and save several lives in the process.”

“I didn’t either.” Edward responded. “Just like I didn’t imagine that when Sue moved here that she would flourish as she has. I was like you. At first I wasn’t keen on the idea of her moving away, but her tenacity and her need for more independence won out. Now here she is working side-by-side with her husband as they try to make a difference. I worry about her safety sometimes, but I know that Jack will do all he can to protect her. The rest is in God’s hand’s.”

Warren smiled. “They are both amazing women...alike in many ways...like grandmother, like granddaughter, right?

“Yes, they are, but I would have to amend that a bit.” He glanced over lovingly at his Carla. “I would have to say...like grandmother, like mother, like daughter.”

Warren agreed heartily. With that, both men clapped each other on the back before they walked over to join their wives.

The End

You can find this story, and all of Ivory's other stories here in her archive page. Comments are always welcome!