Disclaimer: Song lyrics do not belong to me.
Chapter Two
Jack Hudson glanced over at his wife as he drove. Seeing her frustrated expression, he reached over and snagged her hand, tugging it lightly to get her attention.
"Relax, honey. It's fine."
Sue rolled her eyes. "We're going to be late. I don't know why I let you talk me into getting family pictures the same day as Murdoch's birthday party."
Jack turned and waggled his eyebrows at her playfully. "Because I can be very persuasive."
"Jack Hudson!" Sue tugged her hand free and slapped his shoulder. "Keep your eyes on the road when you have my children in the car."
"Oh, so they're your children, huh?"
Sue glanced over her shoulder at where the four Hudson children were all peacefully occupied with the books she had handed them. "Of course they are. Look at how angelic they're being."
Jack smirked, his mind drifting back to the photography studio when Sue had plopped a very unhappy baby in his arms and demanded that he do something with his son.
Despite the squirming, tears, and tantrums, they had managed to get several good shots and the photographer had proclaimed them the most beautiful family he had ever seen.
"Told you we'd be late." Sue said as they walked toward the picnic tables in the park and saw the team, plus Joseph and Lucy, already gathered.
Jack smiled as he heard the laughter drifting over from the group. There was so much stress in their lives it was always good to hear them laugh.
Jack stopped walking and swung Anna Grace down from his shoulders. He waited until the four-year old's dark brown eyes were fastened on his lips. "Go to Uncle Murdoch."
The little girl looked toward the picnic tables where he pointed and her eyes lit up in understanding.
"Unca Murdoch! Unca Murdoch!" Anna Grace's soft, lisping voice drifted on the air and the young man spun around.
Even from a distance Jack could see the smile on Murdoch's face as the young agent broke away from the group and hurried to meet the little girl.
Jack shifted the picnic basket he was carrying to his other hand and draped an arm around Sue.
"She's the only one who can make him smile like that." He nodded toward where Murdoch Jamison was kneeling down, hugging Anna Grace.
"I know." Sue shifted her youngest son in her arms as six-year old Jackson and five-year old Wesley ran to join Robert and Stanley Manning who were kicking a soccer ball in the grass.
"They have a very unique bond. I wonder if it could have anything to do with the fact that he delivered her."
Jack's brow furrowed and he shrugged. "I guess it's possible. Or at least that could explain why Murdoch is so attached to her, but I doubt that could be reason why Anna Grace adores him."
"I don't know, Jack. She has loved him from day one. She always stopped crying every time he held her."
"Hey, Sparky!" Their conversation was interrupted by a shout from Bobby. "Are you and the missus going to join us or are you just going to stand there making googly eyes at each other?"
Jack rolled his eyes. "We're coming, Crash."
Jack Hudson's eyes opened when he felt someone staring at him.
Four-year old Anna Grace was standing by the couch, looking down at him. She was dressed in a purple nightgown; her blonde hair still damp from her bath.
Jack smiled at her as she raised her tiny hands to sign. "DANCE, DADDY?"
"Of course, sweetheart."
Standing, Jack put their cd in the player. Anna Grace loved to dance with her daddy and the song had become theirs the first time Jack heard it. The music began to play and Jack held Anna Grace's hands as she stood on top of his feet. As they danced around the living room, Anna Grace gazed up at Jack; reading his lips as he quietly sang the words to their song.
"She spins and she sways to whatever song plays
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sitting here wearing the weight of the
World on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do
But she's pulling at me saying, 'Dad, I need you!'
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancin'
Oh, please, Daddy, please.
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she's here in my arms.
'Cause I know something the prince never knew.
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
Don't want to miss even one song.
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone.
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed.
She wants to know if I approve of the dress.
She says, 'Dad, the prom is just one week away.
And I need to practice my dancin'.
Oh, please, Daddy, please.
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she's here in my arms.
'Cause I know something the prince never knew.
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
Don't want to miss even one song.
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone.
She came home today with a ring on her hand.
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned.
She said, 'Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancin'.
Oh, please, Daddy, please.
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she's here in my arms.
'Cause I know something the prince never knew.
And I will dance with Cinderella
Don't want to miss even one song.
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.
And I will dance with Cinderella
While she's here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew.
And I will dance with Cinderella
Don't want to miss even one song.
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight.
But the dance will go on."
As the song ended, Jack brushed the tears from his eyes and lifted his sleepy little girl into his arms.
"Love you, Daddy." She mumbled.
Smiling, Jack gently pressed the ILY sign onto her back with the fingers of one hand and carried her up the stairs.
He met Sue in the hallway as she came out of the boys' room.
"James is asleep. The boys are waiting for you to pray with them." Sue reached for Anna Grace. "I'll put her down."
"Okay." Jack pressed a kiss on the silky blonde hair and gently nudged Anna Grace's head up from his shoulder.
"Goodnight, Miss Sparkles." He whispered as he handed her to Sue.
"Night."
Jack grinned as the little girl turned and nestled into Sue's shoulder. Bobby had gotten it right with this Sparky nickname. Anna Grace was the sparkle in all of their lives. If she ever wasn't there, Jack didn't think any of them would survive.