A Perfect Beginning

By Victorian Cowgirl

Part 1 – The Winning Bid

Jack tapped Sue on the shoulder to get her attention. "Since you bought me, the least I can do is ask you to dance." He said, as he made the sign for dancing.

Sue smiled, I can't hear the music remember? I could be dangerous out there."

Jack extended his hand, "I'll take my chances." He said as he took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.

"For someone who ice skates, plays the piano and sings, I didn't think dancing would be too hard." Jack replied.

"You know what they say," Sue said, "It's all about who's leading."

Sue caught a glimpse of Eleanor, the woman that was outbid for a date with Jack, in the doorway. "Is Eleanor okay?"

"She'll get over it." Jack said.

"What did she say?"

"Well, she was a little embarrassed. She didn't know that you and I were an item."

Sue caught a little gleam in Jack's eye. "She must have been relieved when you told her we weren't."

Jack's eyes danced with delight. "I didn't exactly tell her that."

"What did you tell her?" Sue asked, a little unsure of where this conversation was heading.

"Well, I sort of told her that you and I were very close and that the band was playing our song and that I had to dance with you." He couldn't help but smile at Sue's reaction. "I hope you're not mad at me."

"No. So what is this song of ours the band is playing?"

Jack leaned in and said, "I don't know."

Sue glanced around at the other couples on the dance floor with them. They all looked happy and content to be with each other. She turned to Jack, "I like it."

Jack just smiled and tightened his hold on Sue's waist. It felt wonderful to be with Sue like this. He had known she was someone special from the beginning, but now he knew that she was very special to him. What he had told Eleanor was true, he and Sue were very close. He wanted their relationship to be much more, but other people and things seemed to get in the way.

He was ready to let her know how he felt when he was in the hospital with his heart problem. He had told her then that he had been thinking about his life and the things he hadn't been doing. He knew that she understood, but then Allie showed up in his life again and he didn't know what to do. Things with Allie didn't feel as right as they did with Sue.

Sue let her thoughts wander as she danced in Jack's arms. How right it felt to be with him like this. She had fallen for Jack when she first met him. She had secretly hoped that he liked her too. At times she would catch a hint from him that he felt the same, but things never seemed to work out. First his old girlfriend had shown up, and then she met David and started dating him. Now it felt like things were just right.

When the song ended Jack led Sue back to their table and asked Tara to dance. Sue breathed a contented sigh.

Lucy moved to the chair next to Sue. "Now aren't you glad that Tara and I bid on Jack using your name?"

Sue smiled at her friend. As shocked as she had been when she saw Eleanor announce her as the winner of the date with Jack, she was grateful to her friends for their plan.

After dancing with Tara, Jack approached Sue. "I'm dying of heat; would you like to go for a walk?"

"I'd love to," she replied.

The couple walked along the Mall and watched the lights of the Lincoln Memorial dance on the water. As they walked, nothing was said, they simply enjoyed each other's company.

"So where are we going on this date? Are we really going to a football game?" Sue asked.

Jack knew Sue couldn't see his lips move if she was walking next to him, so he led her to a bench under a street lamp and sat down.

"I do have tickets to a game, but if you would like to do something else, I'll do whatever you are comfortable with."

Sue smiled at his thoughtfulness. "I don't attend many sporting events, but I think football sounds fun. I don't need to hear the announcer to know what's going on out on the field."

"I also thought a picnic afterward would be fun."

"That sounds great Jack. Were you really going to take Eleanor to a football game? She doesn't seem like a sports lover to me."

"To be honest, that's one of the reasons I chose a football game for the date. I thought it would discourage her from bidding on me."

Sue thought she knew how he would answer her next question, but she had to ask. "Was the picnic part of the original date?"

Jack just grinned, "No, I added that tonight, after I found out that you were the winning bid."

Sue smiled and blushed a little. Jack turned and looked out over the water. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sue rub her arms as if she was cold. "Are you alright?"

"Just a little chilled, but I'll be fine."

"Jack slipped out of his tux jacket and draped it over Sue's shoulders. He let his hands rest on her arms a little longer than necessary.

Sue looked at his hands then up to his face. "Thank you." She spoke and signed at the same time.

He stood and extended his hand to help her up. "Come on, I'll see you home."

"Thank you, Jack." Sue replied and took his offered hand.

Jack didn't release her hand as they made their way towards Sue and Lucy's apartment. He thought how nice it felt to just hold her hand. It wasn't just holding her hand, but it was everything about her. Things always seemed better when Sue was around.

Sue was having similar thoughts as they walked. Jack always made her want to be better, to try harder. When Jack was around, everything seemed right.

The couple slowed their pace as Sue's apartment building came into view. Neither wanted the evening to end. Sue felt Jack's grip on her hand tighten slightly, as if he didn't want to let go. She squeezed his hand lightly and smiled at him.

Jack turned to face her as they came to the door of her building. "I'll pick you up around ten tomorrow morning, okay. The game starts at eleven and we can have our picnic after that."

"Sounds great. Is there anything you want me to bring for the picnic?"

"Nope. I'll take care of everything. All you have to bring is yourself and Levi." Jack stated.

"Thank you. I had a really nice time tonight."